ADA, Okla. – The East Central University volleyball team opened up their home season in exciting fashion, executing a reverse sweep for the first time in the 2024 season, defeating Southwestern Oklahoma State University 3-2 inside of an electric crowd at the Kerr Activities Center on Thursday night.
 
With the victory, the Tigers improve to 8-6 overall and 2-1 in Great American Conference play.
 
"We knew coming into this match it would test us," Head Coach Danielle Essix said. "We came out after the second set with a different mindset. The energy in the dome was incredible. We were able to shift our focus on our words in order to be more intentional and dig deep into our passion to pull out the win. I am really proud of us for completing the reverse sweep against a really great culture team for our home opener."
 
This win against the Bulldogs feels especially rewarding, considering their last encounter was at the 2023 GAC Championship Tournament, where they narrowly lost 3-2. The last time ECU bested SWOSU was in 2021 when the Tigers triumphed at home in a five-set thriller.
 
ECU found themselves in an early deficit, dropping the first two sets 25-18 and 25-19, with SWOSU leading by as many as 10 points while the Tigers battled to catch up.
 
However, ECU stayed alive with a victory in the third set, jumping out to a 10-3 lead and maintaining control to make it a 2-1 match. Set four mirrored the momentum, with the Tigers establishing a comfortable lead. Despite the Bulldogs closing the gap, a decisive kill by the Tigers solidified the 25-22 victory to force a fifth set.
 
Fueled by their earlier victories, ECU carried that momentum into the final set, breaking away early and maintaining their lead until Odalys Gonzalez delivered the final kill that clinched the thrilling 3-2 victory in front of a home crowd.
 
ECU showcased remarkable performances, particularly from Odalys Gonzalez, who set a new career-high 21 kills alongside a double-double featuring 16 digs. Emma Strickland and Julia Kabala also shined, each posting double-doubles with Strickland recording 12 kills and a team-high 22 digs while Kabala dished out 45 assists and a season-high 20 digs. Faiana Halatoa contributed a strong 11 kills and Valentina Tijerina stepped up as libero with 14 digs.
 
The ECU volleyball team will be back at home on Tuesday, Oct. 1 for another tough matchup against Oklahoma Baptist University at 6 pm.