MARSHALL, Texas – Honoring senior Abby Weaver, the East Texas Baptist University volleyball team fought diligently to the end but came up short to the University of Texas-Tyler in four sets, 3-1. ETBU ends their regular in third place of the ASC East Division with a 12-17 record overall and 8-8 in conference play.

ETBU was led by Allison Sevening with 11 kills. Paige Miller had a double-double with 26 digs and 10 kills. Elyse Shaw added 30 assists as well. For UTT, Brieanne Brown had 15 kills while Reighana Guzman led with 48 assists. Makenna Bartlett had a team-leading 20 digs.

After trading points early in the first set, ETBU would extend their lead to scores of 5-2, 8-4, and 10-6. UTT was able to cut it close to 11-9, but the Tigers would go on a 6-1 run to lead 17-10. UTT could only cut the margin to five before ETBU ran off with a 25-16 victory in set one.

ETBU would continue their momentum from the first set when they raced out to a 5-2 lead in set two. But the difference in the set would be a 12-2 run by the Patriots that gave UTT the lead for good at 14-7. The lead was extended to double-digits at 20-10 before UTT evened the match at 25-16.

Both teams exchanged tallies to start off set three. UTT would then lead 7-4 only to see it disappear into an 8-7 ETBU edge. Once UTT retook the lead, ETBU would cut the deficit to one point on a several times but the Patriots would extend their lead six points at 22-16. ETBU did put a small run on to try to tie and tie the game, but UTT finished out the final two points to win set three 25-22.

ETBU would only have the lead in set four one time before UTT took control of the rest of the match winning 25-20.

ETBU will next play in the ASC Tournament on November 2^nd against Concordia-Texas in Richardson, Texas.