Box Score ADA – In the first home match of the 2017 season, the East Central University volleyball team picked up its first win of the year, in come-from-behind fashion.  The Tigers (1-4) defeated Dallas Baptist, 3-2 (18-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21, 15-9) after dropping the first two sets.  The victory came on the first day of the Tiger Invitational in the Kerr Activities Center.

Photo Gallery

ECU was paced by senior Diana Etienne, who tallied 14 kills, a .293 (14k-2e-41ta) hitting percentage, three assists, two service aces, 21 digs and two block assists for the team's first double-double of the year.  Junior Karina Erreguin added 13 kills, an ace and three block assists.

After struggling early to get their offense going, the Tigers ended the match with a .137 average to a .141 mark by the Patriots (3-2).  The key stat in the box score came at the service line, where ECU earned a nine to four lead.

DBU took control of set one early and never let ECU get started offensively to earn the 18-25 win.  The Patriots did the same in the second set, taking a 0-7 lead.  However, the Tigers started to fight back and cut the deficit to three (13-16).  The teams then traded points and runs the rest of the set before the Patriots were able to earn the 21-25 win.

But the renewed energy was upheld in set three, with the teams battling through seven tie scores and three lead changes.  The final tie came at 14-all, but the Tigers pushed ahead with a 3-0 run and never let the lead get smaller than two the rest of the set, earning the 25-21 win.

The Tigers fell behind in the beginning of the fourth set and were trailing 7-11, before a 7-3 run tied the set at 14.  The teams battled through to a 19-all tie before a 3-0 run gave ECU a 22-19 advantage.  That would be all they would need, as they allowed the Patriots to score just two points the rest of the set for the 25-21 win.

Set five saw the teams trade the first four serves, but the Tigers then took over extending the lead to 7-2 and cruising for a 15-9 set and match victory.

ECU will wrap up the Tiger Invitational, Friday, Sept. 8 when they face Langston (11 a.m.) and Cameron (7 p.m.).  Matches start for the day at 9 a.m. and will include six total matches throughout the day, with the Tigers match against the Aggies wrapping up the tournament.