RUSSELLVILLE, ARK. – The East Central University volleyball team fell to league-leading Arkansas Tech 0-3 (18-25, 10-25, 20-25) on the road in Great American Conference action.

The Tigers (5-14, 3-4 GAC) were led by junior Madeline Mayer, who tallied a .438 (8k-1e-16ta) hitting percentage, while adding a dig and a block assist.  Junior Kaci Harrison added nine kills and 10 digs, while junior Lily Porsa led the team with 13 digs.

The opening set started as a close battle with the team forcing four tie scores and two lead changes.  Both teams took early leads and used a few short runs, but it all resulted in a 12-all tie.  However, that is when the Golden Suns (14-7, 6-1 GAC) took control of the set, with an 8-1 run.  ATU kept pushing the momentum, adding another short run on the way to a 25-18 win.

The second set was all Golden Suns, as they jumped out to a 0-8 advantage and never let the Tigers get closer than a deficit of seven points on the way to the 10-25 win.

The teams traded the first few serves of the final set, but a 4-0 ATU run gave them a slight advantage (4-6).  The Golden Suns kept the pressure on the rest of the set, but ECU kept the score within three until another 6-1 run by ATU gave them the lead for good (13-20).  The advantage was all that was need for the 20-25 win.

The Tigers will now get ready for two home matches, Oct. 14-15 at the Kerr Activities Center.  ECU will first host Henderson State, Friday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.  The Tigers will then host Ouachita Baptist, Saturday, Oct. 15 at 4 p.m., with the match serving as the annual Senior Day.