WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The East Central University volleyball team faced its first road test of Great American Conference play on Tuesday, falling in straight sets to Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford.
 
Despite a late push in the third set, an early deficit proved too much to overcome for the Tigers, who struggled to find rhythm offensively and posted a season-low attack percentage against the Bulldogs.
 
With the result, ECU moves to 1-1 in GAC play, while SWOSU begins its conference slate at 1-0.
 
The Bulldogs set the tone early, opening the first set with a 9-1 run and ultimately claiming it 25-13. Set two followed a similar script, with SWOSU pulling ahead 14-5 and cruising to a 25-10 win.
 
The third set, however, showed a different side of the Tigers. ECU jumped out to a 3-1 lead and later used a 4-0 run to take a 14-10 advantage for their largest of the night. The set featured four lead changes and four ties, as the Tigers traded points with the Bulldogs deep into the frame. Down 24-20, ECU closed the gap with a pair of SWOSU errors and a service ace from Bailey Kaawa to make it 24-23. But the Bulldogs managed to put the match away with a final kill, ending ECU's late surge.
 
The Tigers now turn their attention to Thursday's rivalry matchup, returning home to host Southeastern Oklahoma State University in the annual Great American Classic. First serve is set for 6 p.m. at the Kerr Activities Center.