SAN ANTONIO – The East Central University volleyball team hit the court for their second tournament of the season at the Rattler Invitational hosted by St. Mary's University. The Tigers split the opening day on Friday, starting with a 3-1 loss to Anderson University but rebounding with a 3-1 victory over Texas A&M International to end the day on a high note.
 
Despite their first loss of the season, the Tigers' 5-1 record remains one of their strongest starts in program history.
 
ECU vs. Anderson University | (25-17, 28-30, 23-25, 17-25)
The tournament opener tested the Tigers as they endured a back-and-forth battle with Anderson University. Although the Tigers showed their power winning the first set, they fell on the wrong side in the next two and ultimately lost momentum in the fourth set, resulting in a 3-1 defeat to the Trojans.
 
As a team, Anderson hit .175 while ECU was held to a season-low .116, though ECU led in blocks 9-7.
 
Despite the loss, Odalys Gonzalez had a strong game, delivering 20 kills and 11 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. Julia Kabala dished out 37 assists while Valentina Tijerina led the back row with 17 digs.
 
ECU vs. Texas A&M Int. | (25-21,25-22, 20-25, 25-18)
In their second match of the day, the Tigers faced another tough battle, but this time kept their composure and finished the job. After claiming the first two sets and falling in the third, ECU maintained control and secured a decisive fourth set win to split the opening day.
 
The Tigers posted their second-best hitting percentage of the season at .218 as well as 74 digs and 10 aces.
 
Odalys Gonzalez paced the offense with 19 kills while Emma Strickland finished strong with 15. Both were also solid in the back row with Gonzalez tallying 15 digs while Strickland picked up 16. Ashleigh Miller recorded a season-high 11 kills with a .500 hitting percentage while Julia Kabala set a new season-high with 45 assists.
 
The ECU volleyball team will conclude the Rattler Invitational with matches against host St. Mary's University at 10 am before taking on No. 1 University of Tampa at 3 pm.