EDMOND, Okla. – The East Central University volleyball team competed in their third tournament of the 2024 season at the MIAA/GAC Crossover. The Tigers played two matches on Friday, starting with a 3-1 loss to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, followed by a straight-sets defeat to host school, the University of Central Oklahoma. However, ECU bounced back on Saturday, sweeping Newman University to secure the victory and return to the win column.
 
ECU vs. Arkansas Fort Smith | (14-25, 17-25, 25-23, 18-25)
The Tigers got off to a slow start in the opener, as the Lions took control early with decisive wins in the first two sets. ECU fought back in the third set, rallying from a 20-17 deficit to claim a hard-fought victory, but a late scoring run in the fourth set by UAFS ultimately clinched the match for the Lions.
 
Odalys Gonzalez and Ashleigh Miller led the offense with 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Gonzalez and Julia Kabala achieved double-doubles, with Gonzalez adding 11 digs while Kabala contributed 36 assists and 11 digs. Emma Strickland anchored the back row with 14 digs, marking a milestone in her career as she became the first player in ECU history to surpass both 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.
 
ECU vs. Central Oklahoma | (18-25, 9-25, 17-25)
In their second match of the day, the Tigers faced a strong Central Oklahoma squad. Struggling to find their rhythm, ECU was unable to match their usual offensive output, facing challenges with errors. The Bronchos capitalized on this, dominating in digs, kills, and blocking throughout the three sets.
 
Faiana Halatoa led the Tigers in the match with seven kills and three blocks, while Julia Kabala added 14 assists and seven digs.
 
ECU vs. Newman | (25-18, 25-23, 25-18)
On Saturday, ECU snapped their five-match losing streak in their sweep over Newman. The Tigers capped off the first set with a six-point scoring run, surged to an early 6-1 lead in the second, and maintained control throughout, before pulling away midway through the third set to secure the sweep and close out the tournament on a high note.
 
Emma Strickland led ECU with eight kills, while Odalys Gonzalez contributed seven. Ashleigh Miller and Faiana Halatoa recorded six kills each, with Julia Kabala dishing out 25 assists and a team-high nine digs.
 
The ECU volleyball team will continue their road stretch next week, taking on rival Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant on Tuesday, Sep. 24 at 6 pm.