ALVA, OKLA. – The East Central University volleyball team dropped a 3-1 (25-27, 25-21, 25-23, 25-13) decision to Northwestern Oklahoma State on the road in Great American Conference action.

The Tigers (7-23, 2-13 GAC) were paced by senior Diana Etienne with 11 kills and 14 digs, for her third double-double of the season.  Senior Lily Porsa and junior Abbey Wehrman led the defense, with Porsa netting 24 digs and Wehrman 20.

ECU took an early lead, pushing the advantage out to eight points (14-6).  However, the Rangers (??) fought back with several runs to tie the set at 17.  That started a battle for control that resulted in five more ties and forced extra points.  The Tigers took advantage of two errors by NWOSU to earn the 27-25 win.

The second set saw the Rangers take the early lead.  ECU then returned the favor to tie the set at 17.  However, this time the teams just traded the next six serves before NWOSU was able to push ahead and earn the 25-21 win.

Set three was a back-and-forth battle all the way through, with seven ties and three lead changes.  The Rangers took the final lead after a 22-all tie and used a 3-1 run for the 25-23 win.

The Rangers took the momentum they had gained at the end of set three into the fourth, jumping out to a 5-0 lead.  The Tigers struggled to get its offense going in the set and fell 25-13.

ECU will return home for the final home match of the 2017 season, Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.  The Tigers will be hosting arch rival Southeastern Oklahoma State at the Kerr Activities Center.