ADA, Okla. – The East Central University volleyball team continued its strong start to conference play, grinding out a thrilling four-set win against Southern Nazarene University Tuesday night inside the Kerr Activities Center.
 
With the win, ECU improves to 3-1 in GAC play, while Southern Nazarene continues to search for its first conference victory.

"I'm really proud of how our team outlasted tonight," said Head Coach Danielle Essix. "We knew coming in the SNU would bring a fight. They pushed us, but we stay composed, trusted each other, and found ways to finish. This was a good test of our toughness and growth. We were challenged, but we battled through and earned it. Wins like this build confidence and belief in who we are becoming." 
 
The Tigers came out firing in set one, jumping to an early 7-2 lead and maintaining control throughout. Despite a brief push from the Crimson Storm that brought the score to 16-15, ECU never relinquished the lead, closing the set with five unanswered points for a convincing 25-18 win.
 
Set two followed a familiar pattern early, as ECU built a 15-8 advantage. However, SNU stormed back with a 7-0 run to tie the set at 21-21. The teams traded points down the stretch, but back-to-back kills from the Crimson Storm sealed the set in their favor, 26-24.
 
The third set turned into a tightly contested battle, with both teams trading momentum. SNU surged ahead 18-13, but the Tigers responded with a 5-0 run, including three consecutive kills from Faiana Halatoa, to tie it at 18-all. ECU held off two set points before finally claiming the 29-27 win and a 2-1 match lead.
 
Set four was just as intense, with neither side gaining more than a three-point edge until the final stretch. Trailing 21-19, ECU closed strong with a 5-1 run to take a 24-22 lead. A controversial call briefly tightened the score to 24-23, but Halatoa put the match away with a decisive kill, securing the Tigers' four-set triumph in front of an energized home crowd.
 
Offensively, the Tigers were led by standout performances from Faiana Halatoa and Jayla Buford, who each posted double-doubles. Halatoa delivered a career-high 17 kills along with 10 digs, while Buford contributed 14 kills and 13 digs. In the middle, Kensington White and Adelle McCormick were forces at the net. White notched six kills, four block assists, and a team-high four service aces, while McCormick added a career-best seven kills and five block assists.
 
On the defensive end, Valentina Tijerina anchored the back row with 19 digs, while Macey Goodwin added 18. Emily Pena orchestrated the offense, finishing with a career-high 35 assists.
 
The Tigers will now shift their focus to another GAC road test as they face Oklahoma Baptist University on Thursday in Shawnee.