DENTON, TX – The East Central University volleyball team split its final day of the Denton Volleyfest Saturday, falling to Eastern New Mexico University 15-25, 19-25, 21-25 before defeating Midwestern State University 25-22, 25-20, 29-27 to close out the weekend in Denton, TX. The Tigers are now 2-7 overall on the season.
 
"I'm proud of them for rallying together to get the wins we got this weekend," Head Coach Cheri Lindsay said. "We are slowly finding a rhythm."
 
Match 1 | ECU vs. Eastern New Mexico University
ECU was neck and neck with ENMU for the first half of the opening set until a 4-0 and 9-1 scoring run by the Greyhounds allowed them to take control. The Tigers picked up the momentum in set two going on a 4-0 scoring run early to lead 5-2, but the Greyhounds answered back with a few scoring runs of their own to put away set two 25-19. Set three was a back-and-forth battle with 10 lead changes between the two teams. Tied at 20-20, ENMU went on a 5-1 run to secure the sweep.
 
Leah Lawson posted 26 assists in the match, dishing 13 of them to Emma Strickland and 6 to both Seran Eran and Ashleigh Miller. Lisa Gonzalez and Alejandra Delgado added 11 digs each. Five Tigers recorded a service ace – Emma Strickland, Ashleigh Miller, Alejandra Delgado, Anmarie Dominick, and Leah Lawson.
 
Match 2 | ECU vs. Midwestern State University
ECU set the tone in set one with two aces to get the early lead. After MSU battled back to make it a one-point game late in the set, ECU won the next two points to lead 23-20 and held on for the set one win. The Tigers used scoring runs to extend their lead 24-16 in set two. The Mustangs attempted to rally on a 4-0 run before the Tigers put the set away with a final kill. ECU held a 17-11 lead in set three, but MSU fought back to pull ahead 24-23. After match point traded hands four times, the Tigers dug deep and completed the sweep with a 29-27 victory.
 
Leah Lawson recorded 22 assists in the match as well as a season high 8 service aces. Nyah Walker added 13 kills while Emma Strickland was next with 12 kills. Defensively, Alejandra Delgado was the lone Tiger to reach double-digits in digs with 24 while Aloni Jordan had 5 blocks.
 
The East Central University women's volleyball team will hit the road on Tuesday, Sept. 6 to face Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK for the first GAC game of the season.