ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The East Central University volleyball team completed their Arkansas road trip with a GAC matchup against Henderson State University, picking up a 3-2 win over the Reddies (20-25, 25-27, 25-20, 25-21, 15-8).
 
The Tigers came out strong in the first set taking an early 6-1 lead. Henderson made their way back to tie the score 13-13, and with a 7-2 scoring run, they took the lead 20-15. ECU trailed 22-20, but a 3-0 run by HSU completed the set 25-22.
 
ECU took off in the second set with a quick 7-0 lead that eventually built up to 12-4. The Reddies climbed out of a hole and cut the Tiger lead down to 19-17. ECU was on the brink of a set win at 23-18, but a 9-2 come-from-behind scoring run by HSU put the Reddies on top 27-25.
 
With the third set on the line, both teams came out on the attack and were neck and neck for the majority of the game. The Tigers were up 18-17 before a 4-0 scoring run increased their lead to 22-17. HSU could not find a way to close out the set, and ECU took set three 25-20 to put themselves back in the game.
 
Set four went point for point with the teams being tied nine different times. Neither team was able to pull away and stayed within a point of each other for most of the set. However, at 19-all, ECU would earn six of the next eight points to end the set 25-21 and force a fifth set.
 
Down 2-1 in the fifth set, the Tigers went on a 4-0 scoring run for a 5-2 lead. HSU clawed their way back to within one at 6-5, but ECU dug deep to go on a 7-1 scoring run to put them up 13-6 and take control of the game. The Reddies would put two more points on the scoreboard, but the Tigers closed out the fifth set 15-8 and the match 3-2.
 
ECU's offense had a high-scoring night with three players earning double-digit kills. Emma Strickland recorded 23 kills, Nyah Walker posted a season-high 21 kills, and Jada Abercrombie had a career-high 13 kills. Emma Strickland and Leah Lawson were the two Tigers to earn double-doubles with Strickland adding 15 digs to her 23 kills while Lawson dished out an impressive 59 assists to her 16 digs, a new career high for the sophomore. Alejandra Delgado broke the ECU individual match record for digs with 42 which was previously set at 38. Thalianette Garcia tallied 18 digs while Lisa Gonzalez added 12.
 
The East Central University volleyball will return home to the Kerr Activities center for two GAC matches against the University of Arkansas at Monticello on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. and Southern Arkansas University Friday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m.