Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 TOPEKA, Kan. – The East Central University volleyball team had a slow start to the 2017 season in day one of the Washburn Invitational, falling 3-0 to Missouri-St. Louis and No. 16 Washburn.
The Tigers (0-2) were paced by senior
Alex Campbell, with 13 kills, five digs and two blocks (1-1). Seniors Diana Eitenne and
Madeline Mayer added nine kills each, while Eitenne netted six digs and Mayer four blocks (1-3).
ECU will wrap up the Washburn Invitational, Saturday, Sept. 2 with matches against Pittsburg State at 9 a.m. and Drury at 1:30 p.m.
Missouri-St. Louis 3, East Central 0
The Tigers struggled to get into an offensive grove in the opening match of the 2017 season, falling to the Tritons 3-0 (14-25, 11-25, 16-25) at the Washburn Invitational. ECU hit -.040, while allowing a .286 mark by UMSL. The big reason for the lower hitting percentage was because the Tritons garnered eight total team blocks.
Etienne led the team with six kills, while adding five digs, two assists and a service ace. Mayer and Campbell each netted three kills, while Campbell added two digs, a block solo and a block assist.
The Tigers kept things close for the first few points of each set, but then saw the Tritons go on several runs to earn the set wins.
No. 16 Washburn 3, East Central 0
ECU fought hard through set one and forced extra points, but eventually fell to the Ichabods 3-0 (24-26, 13-25, 14-25). The Tigers hitting woes continued in the second match of the day, hitting .045 as a team and allowing a .232 mark.
Campbell led ECU in the match, with 10 kills and three digs, while Mayer added six kills, two digs and two blocks (1-1). Defensively, the Tigers were led by senior
Lily Porsa, with 19 kills and two service aces.
ECU came out fighting in set one, but after the first few serves found themselves trailing by five in the middle of the set. However, the Tigers kept fighting and used a few runs to cut the gap to just one (18-19). ECU kept the match close and eventually tied it at 24, forcing extra points. However, Washburn earned the final two points needed for the 24-26 win.
The second set saw the Tigers fall behind early and the Ichabods kept up the pressure to claim the 13-25 win.
The final set started tight, with ECU keeping things tight through the first 14 serves. However, Washburn then used an 11-1 run to take control for good on the way to the 14-26 victory.
