MONTICELLO, Ark. – The East Central University volleyball team opened their Arkansas road swing in dominant fashion Thursday night, sweeping the University of Arkansas at Monticello in straight sets (25-22, 25-20, 25-13) inside Steelman Fieldhouse.
 
With the win, the Tigers improve to 4-2 in Great American Conference play, while the Cotton Blossoms remain in search of their first conference victory.
 
After a slow start, ECU settled in and delivered one of their most complete performances of the season. The Tigers posted a season-best .243 team hitting percentage and committed just 11 hitting errors, their lowest mark of the year. On the defensive end, ECU outblocked UAM 11-5 and held the Blossoms to a staggering .008 hitting percentage.
 
Set one was back-and-forth, featuring five lead changes and seven ties. Knotted at 20-20, the Tigers surged ahead to close out the frame 25-22 and take the early advantage.
 
In the second set, ECU jumped out to a 6-2 lead and stretched it to 17-10. UAM managed to chip away at the deficit to pull within three at 23-20, but a kill by Peyton Spahn and a UAM error sealed the 25-20 win, giving the Tigers a 2-0 match lead.
 
The third set was all ECU. The Tigers raced out to a commanding 12-3 lead, extending it to 19-6 before cruising to a 25-13 victory to complete the sweep.
 
Peyton Spahn led the way offensively with 11 kills on 21 swings, posting a flawless performance with no errors and a career-high .524 hitting percentage. Faiana Halatoa added nine kills and eight digs, while Kensington White chipped in six kills and four blocks. Emily Pena directed the offense with 30 assists, and the back row was anchored by Valentina Tijerina and Bailey Kaawa, who recorded 17 and 10 digs, respectively.
 
ECU returns to the court Friday afternoon as they face Southern Arkansas University at 4 p.m. in Magnolia.