ARKADELPHIA, ARK. – The East Central University volleyball team fell in a five-set match, 2-3 (25-21, 13-25, 25-19, 22-25, 9-15), to Henderson State in Great American Conference action.

The Tigers (3-16, 0-9 GAC) were paced by senior Sarah Simpson, who earned her second double-double of the season with 14 kills and 17 digs.  Simpson hit .211 (14k-6e-38ta) and added two service aces and a block assist.

Fellow senior Hayley Gerken got even closer to her third career record for ECU, recording four block solos.  She now needs just two to set the career record.  Gerken also tallied five block assists, 10 kills, two digs and one ace.

The opening set was tight throughout, with no team leading by more than four points the entire set.  ECU used a 3-0 run in the middle of the set to take a 12-9 advantage and that was all they would need, as they pushed through for a 25-21 win and never let the Reddies (3-18, 2-7 GAC) get closer than one point.

HSU came out fighting in the second set and took and early 1-5 lead and never let the Tigers get closer than two points the rest of the set on the way to a 13-25 win.

ECU came out after the break and pushed out to an early 5-2 advantage.  The Tigers kept pushing and used several small runs throughout the set and came away with a 25-19 win.

The fourth set saw a true battle, with nine tie sores and three lead changes.  Neither team led by more than three points, but it was the Reddies who pushed through from a 22-all tie to earn the final three points to claim the 22-25 win and force set five.

After trading the first six serves, HSU used a 5-0 run to gain the needed advantage in the set.  The teams then traded points for most of the set and despite a 4-0 run by the Tigers, the Reddies took the set and match with a 9-15 win.

ECU will now return home to start a four-match home stand, Friday, Oct. 23 when Arkansas-Monticello comes to two for a 7 p.m. match at the Kerr Activities Center.