ADA, Okla. – The East Central University volleyball team delivered one of its most thrilling performances of the season Thursday night, earning a huge 3-1 (18-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23) victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State University inside the Kerr Activities Center.
 
The win lifted the Tigers to 6-8 in Great American Conference play as they continue their push to solidify a spot in the GAC Championship Tournament.

"I'm really proud of how our team responded tonight," Head Coach Danielle Essix said. "After a tough Tuesday match, we came out with the right mindset and played together with great energy and belief. Several players stepped into positions they don't normally play, and they did it selflessly and with full effort. That's what competing hard, trusting each other and finding ways to get it done for the team is all about."
 
"We talked a lot about moving on to the next play and converting in the big moment and tonight we did that."
 
After dropping the opening set 25-18, ECU regrouped and responded with composure, momentum, and energy over the next three sets. Each frame was a battle, with the Tigers working point-for-point against the Bulldogs in a tightly contested match that featured long rallies and dramatic lead changes.
 
Set two saw three lead changes and five ties before ECU edged out a 25-22 win to even the match. The Tigers carried that energy into the third set, which included four lead changes and eight ties, ultimately securing a 25-23 win to take control of the match. The fourth set proved to be just as intense, with five lead changes and nine ties before ECU closed it out 25-23 to seal the victory.
 
It was one of the most complete team efforts of the season for the Tigers, who recorded a season-high 98 digs as a team. ECU also held key advantages in aces and blocks that helped propel the Tigers to victory, finishing with 10 aces to SWOSU's four and 12 blocks to their seven.
 
Offensively, Jayla Buford and Peyton Spahn led the charge for ECU. Buford turned in a double-double performance with 15 kills and 14 digs, while Spahn added 14 kills to help power the attack. Setter Emily Pena was instrumental in running the offense, dishing out 35 assists while also posting a career-high 21 digs for her own double-double performance.
 
Defensively, Valentina Tijerina anchored the back row with a season-high 31 digs, keeping the Tigers steady through the Bulldogs' relentless attacks. Bailey Kaawa contributed a season-high 12 digs, and Briley Marion added nine digs while making her presence felt at the service line with five aces.
 
ECU will now prepare for their final road match of the regular season, taking on Southern Nazarene University on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 6 pm in Bethany.