Volleyball Falls Short in Five-Set Loss to Northwestern
September 21, 2017
ADA – The East Central University volleyball team fell just short of a win, falling to Northwestern Oklahoma State, 3-2 (22-25, 25-23, 25-20, 13-25, 11-15), in Great American Conference action at the Kerr Activities Center.
The Tigers (4-10, 0-2 GAC) were led by seniors Madeline Mayer and Alex Campbell. Mayer garnered 16 kills and two block assists, while Campbell earned a double-double with 12 kills and 13 digs. Senior Lily Porsa led the team on defense with 23 digs.
The entire match was a tight battle with 19 tie scores and eight lead changes throughout the five sets.
The Rangers (10-5, 1-1 GAC) jumped out to an early lead in the opening set, 4-1, but ECU quickly tied the set a four. The teams traded points and runs through the rest of the set, with neither team leading by more than three points until late in the set. The teams were tied at 17 when NWOSU went on a 4-0 run to take a 21-17 advantage, which is all they would need to claim the 25-22 win.
The Rangers again took an early lead in set two, but the Tigers took control after the first 20 serves. That is when ECU went on a 5-0 run for control of the set for good. NWOSU tried to mount a late come-back by forcing a 23-all tie. However, the Tigers buckled down and claimed the final two points for the 25-23 win.
NWOSU again jumped out to the early 7-3 advantage, but ECU kept fighting and tied the set at eight on a 5-1 run. The teams then traded small runs throughout the set, but besides two more tie scores at 10 and 11, the Tigers kept the lead on their side of the scoreboard and earned the 25-20 win.
Set four was close at the beginning, but after a four-all tie, the Rangers went on a 6-2 run to take control for the rest of the set and forced the fifth-and-deciding set with a 25-13 win.
NWOSU kept that momentum on its side heading into set five and quickly jumped out to a 7-2 lead. The Tigers never quit fighting and were able to cut the deficit to two (10-8), but eventually fell 15-11.
ECU will now get ready for its first GAC road match at archrival Southeastern Oklahoma State, Thursday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.
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