ALVA, OKLA. – The East Central University volleyball team lost its second-straight five-set match with a 2-3 (19-25, 25-23, 25-21, 17-25, 12-15) decision at Northwestern Oklahoma State in Great American Conference action.
The Tigers (3-12, 0-5 GAC) were led by senior
Hayley Gerken, who tallied 12 kills, a .375 (12k-3e-24ta) hitting percentage and six (1-5) blocks. Sophomore
Taylor Turner earned a double-double with 37 assists and 11 digs, while sophomore
Lily Porsa and freshman
Michelle Baker each garnered 14 digs.
The opening set was close at the start, with no team leading by more than two points until midway through. That is when the Rangers (4-11, 2-3 GAC) went on a 5-1 run to take control of the set for good and pushed through for the 25-19 win.
ECU got down early in the second set, 7-12, but both teams traded runs in the middle of the set to keep it within five points. While Northwestern was the first team to reach 20 points (15-20), it was the Tigers who used a late push to earn a come-from-behind win. After trailing 17-23, ECU put together an 8-0 run to claim the 25-23 win.
The start of the third set was all Tigers, as they continued their run by earning the first five points. ECU led until half way through, when the Rangers used a few small runs to tie the set at 16. The teams battled through the next few points, but it was a 5-0 run by the Tigers that gave them the needed advantage for the 21-25 victory.
NWOSU came out ready to fight in the fourth set and used a 7-0 run to take an early 3-11 lead. The Rangers never let up and cruised through for the 17-25 win.
The fifth set was tight at the beginning, but after a three-all tie Northwestern took control with a 5-2 run and a 5-8 lead. The Tigers kept fighting and the teams traded points the rest of the set, but the advantage was enough for NWOSU to hold on for the 12-15 win.
The Tigers will now have the next few days off as they prepare for two GAC matches next weekend at the Kerr Activities Center. ECU will first host Arkansas Tech, Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. and then Harding, Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m.
