ADA – The East Central University volleyball team is ready to start the key part of the 2017 season, with the bulk of the Great American Conference matches starting this week. The Tigers (4-9) will play in two GAC matches this week, starting with a Tuesday, Sept. 19 match at 7 p.m. against Northwestern Oklahoma State at the Kerr Activities Center. ECU will then hit the road to face arch rival Southeastern Oklahoma State, Thursday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.
The Tigers are coming off a very busy week, with six matches having been played over a five-day period. ECU went 1-5 over the week, including a 3-1 loss to Southwestern Oklahoma State in the first conference match of the year.
The Tigers were led over the matches by junior
Karina Erreguin and seniors
Alex Campbell and
Madeline Mayer. Erreguin tallied 53 kills, three service aces, 20 digs and 12 (2-10) blocks. Campbell added 48 kills, 31 digs and nine block assists, while Mayer netted 39 kills and 17 (5-12) blocks.
NWOSU comes into Tuesday's match with a 9-5 overall record and a 0-1 mark in the league after going 4-1 last week. The Rangers fell in their opening GAC match to Oklahoma Baptist and then rebounded with four wins at the GAC/MIAA Crossover in Bethany, Okla. NWOSU defeated Pittsburg State, Fort Hays State, Missouri Southern State and Southwest Baptist.
The Rangers have a strong offensive presence, hitting .214 (564k-206e-1672ta) team hitting percentage. NWOSU also leads in the season box in blocks per set (2.2/1.5) and service aces per set (1.9/1.1).
Individually, NWOUS is led by Jennifer Eubanks with 138 kills, a .375 (138k-28e-293ta) hitting percentage, 10 digs and 46 (8-38) blocks. The Rangers have five players with over 100 digs on the season, with Carley Geer leading the way with 163.
The all-time series with NWOSU is currently knotted at 5-5, with both teams holding a 4-1 mark when playing at home.
Southeastern is 4-8 overall and will be playing its first conference game, Tuesday, Sept. 19 against Oklahoma Baptist. The Savage Storm went 1-3 over the weekend at the GAC/MIAA Crossover, earning a win over Pittsburg State and falling to Central Oklahoma, Emporia State and Missouri Southern State.
Southeastern's offense is led by Abby Jameson, who has 135 kills, a .204 (135k-59e-372ta) hitting percentage, four service aces, 95 digs and 13 (1-12) blocks. Caitlin Cosby is the defensive leader, with 211 digs.
The Tigers trail in the all-time series with the Savage Storm, 6-13 overall, 5-10 in league play and 1-8 when playing in Durant.
