SHAWNEE, OKLA. – The East Central University volleyball team dropped a 1-3 (19-25, 15-25, 25-23, 21-25) decision in the first Great American Conference match against Oklahoma Baptist at the Noble Complex.

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The Tigers (3-10, 0-3 GAC) were led by senior Hayley Gerken, who hit .500 (5k-0e-10ta), five digs and six (2-4) blocks.  Sophomore Alex Campbell garnered a team-high 11 kills, while adding six digs and three block assists.  Sophomore Lily Porsa was the top defensive player with 21 digs.

The first set started out slow for ECU, as they fell behind 2-10.  However, the Tigers kept fighting and dropped the deficit slowly throughout the set to as little as seven before falling 19-25.

The second set the Bison (9-7, 4-0 GAC) took control early and never let the Tigers get much traction and took a 15-25 win.

The third set was when ECU really turned up the pressure and fought hard throughout.  The battle resulted in 11 tie scores and seven lead changes.  OBU lead by as many as four early, with ECU only able to get a one-point advantage through most of the set. 

However, after a tie at 20, the Tigers pushed through with a 4-1 run.  The Bison kept fighting and got within one (24-23), but a kill from sophomore Madyson Gill gave the set to ECU, 25-23.

The fourth set was again a tight battle, with OBU taking a small lead in the middle of the set before ECU pushed back to tie the set at 17.  The teams traded the next eight serves, but it was the Bison who rallied to gain the final four points and take the match with a 21-25 win.

Both teams kept each other to a low hitting percentage, with ECU hitting .102 (42k-28e-137ta) and OBU .170 (44k-21e-135ta).  The Tigers earned the battle at the net, with an 8.0-5.0 blocks advantage.

ECU will now prepare for a home match, Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kerr Activities Center against Southern Nazarene.