BOLIVAR, Mo. – The East Central University volleyball team wrapped up the Southwest Baptist Invitational on Saturday, earning another thrilling five-set victory over Christian Brothers University before falling to Drury University in straight sets to finish the weekend 3-1 in Bolivar, Missouri.
The Tigers opened Saturday with their second consecutive five-set battle, rallying past Christian Brothers, 3-2. ECU claimed the opening set 25-21 before CBU answered with back-to-back wins of 25-20 and 25-20 to take a 2-1 lead.
ECU refused to let the match slip away, responding with a 25-17 fourth-set victory to force a decisive fifth set. The Tigers carried that momentum into the final frame, holding off Christian Brothers 15-12 to secure the five-set victory.
Freshman duo
Addison Iman and
Reagan Hutchinson powered the Tigers offensively, with both setting new career highs in kills. Iman led the way with 21 kills while hitting .224, while Hutchinson added 17 kills and 14 digs for her second consecutive double-double.
Emily Pena orchestrated the offense with 47 assists and added 12 digs for her third double-double of the season, while
Bryleigh Wallace anchored the defensive effort with a team-high 24 digs.
Kensington White contributed seven kills while hitting .250 and posted an impressive six blocks, while
Lana Wright finished with six kills, five digs and three blocks.
As a team, ECU recorded 61 kills, 56 assists, 89 digs and 11 aces against Christian Brothers while hitting .154.
The Tigers then closed out the tournament against Drury University, falling in straight sets, 25-14, 25-20, 25-21. ECU battled throughout the match, but 28 attack errors compared to just 14 by Drury proved to be the difference in the contest. The Tigers finished with 30 kills, 66 digs, seven aces and seven blocks.
Allie Rushing led ECU with nine kills, while
Lana Wright added six kills.
Emily Pena recorded 16 assists and 11 digs for her fourth double-double, while
Bryleigh Wallace once again led the Tigers defensively with 17 digs.
The Tigers will now turn their attention to Great American Conference play, opening league action on the road against Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m.
