RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The East Central University volleyball team concluded its Arkansas road trip on Friday with a matchup against Arkansas Tech University, falling in straight sets (20-25, 17-25, 18-25) inside Tucker Coliseum.
 
With the loss, ECU moves to 5-6 in Great American Conference play, while ATU improves to 9-2. The Tigers now return home to Ada for their final non-conference match of the season against the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m.
 
Looking to rebound from Thursday's contest at Harding, the Tigers struggled again to find consistent offensive rhythm as Arkansas Tech pulled away late in each set.
 
In the opening set, both teams traded points early with six ties before ATU used an 8-2 run to gain control at 18-12. ECU rallied to cut the deficit to 23-20, but the Golden Suns closed it out, 25-20.
 
Set two followed a similar pattern, with back-and-forth play until ATU built a 19-14 lead. ECU responded with three straight points to narrow the gap to 19-17, but the Golden Suns finished strong with six unanswered points to take the set, 25-17.
 
Arkansas Tech opened the third set with a 3-0 run, but ECU countered to go ahead 5-4. The Golden Suns then regained momentum, stretching their lead to 13-8 and later 16-12. The Tigers once again closed within one at 16-15, but ATU pulled away down the stretch to claim the set, 25-18, and the match, 3-0.
 
Peyton Spahn and Kensington White led the Tiger offense with eight and five kills, respectively. Emma Greenier and Emily Pena shared setting duties with 12 and 11 assists, while Jayla Buford anchored the defense with 13 digs.