ADA, Okla. – The East Central University volleyball team capped off its regular-season finale on Thursday with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Southern Nazarene University (22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-23) on Senior Night, securing the No. 3 seed in the 2024 GAC Championship Tournament next week in Hot Springs, Arkansas. With the win, the Tigers will face off against No. 6 seed Southeastern Oklahoma State University in a heated rivalry matchup on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 10 am.
 
The victory improves ECU's season record to 17-13 overall and 11-5 in GAC play, marking their best tournament seeding since 2013, when Head Coach Danielle Essix led her team to a No. 3 spot in the GAC Championship Tournament.
 
"I thought SNU challenged us which is what we needed as we look to the post season," Essix said. "I am proud of our ability to continue to be competitive and play hard which lead us to be able to finish. I am really happy we could win on senior night. This group of seniors are so special and we truly are going to miss them. They have left their mark at ECU and can't be replaced. We are excited to prepare for the GAC Tournament now."
 
The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams evenly matched statistically. ECU and SNU both totaled 58 kills and eight blocks, while the Crimson Storm edged out the Tigers in points (67-66) and aces (6-5). However, ECU held the advantage in assists (56-54) and digs (69-67).
 
After losing the first set 25-22, ECU bounced back in the second and third sets, winning 25-22 both times to take a 2-1 lead. In the fourth set, SNU pushed ahead 12-7, threatening to send the match to a fifth set. But the Tigers responded with a series of scoring runs, regaining the lead at 21-19 before clinching the win 25-23 with a final kill from Odalys Gonzalez.
 
Gonzalez had a standout performance, posting 21 kills, continuing her career-high week after recording 23 kills in the previous match against Oklahoma Baptist. Emma Strickland also contributed significantly, registering 15 kills and 13 digs for another double-double. Julia Kabala tallied 53 assists and 11 digs, completing her own double-double, while defensive specialists Valentina Tijerina and Macey McAmis anchored the back row with 18 and 14 digs, respectively.
 
Seniors Angel Nahinu, Julia Kabala, Odalys Gonzalez, Jada Abercrombie, Ashleigh Miller, and Emma Strickland all played in their final home match at the Kerr Activities Center. Their leadership and play have already made this a memorable and historic season, with hopes of continuing the run in the postseason.