MARSHALL, Texas – After starting the conference season with two wins in three matches, the East Texas Baptist University volleyball team returns home for a match with the University of Texas-Tyler. Afterwards, they will head out west to Alpine for an ASC Crossover tournament.
In their previous week, ETBU saw their five-match winning streak losing to the University of Texas Dallas in three sets. But then, ETBU recovered to win their next two games by sweeps against Belhaven University (25-16, 25-17, 25-16), and Louisiana College (25-8, 25-15, 25-10). Against BU, Sydney Lopez led with 12 kills while Elyse Shaw had 13 assists on the team. Against LC, Cassidy Zellmer and Allie Fennell contributed with five kills apiece while Paige Miller added 10 digs.
ETBU will begin this week hosting the Patriots of UTT. Entering their 31st matchup, ETBU holds a 26-5 edge over UTT. Coming in ranked #23 nationally, the Patriots are 7-1 following a sweep of LeTourneau University. Leading in kills is Kaitlyn Budisalovich with 98 while Reighanna Guzman tallies 280 assists. Makenna Bartlett is the top digger with 131 while Samantha Lee has 22 blocks.
Unlike previous matchups, this will be a nonconference game as UTT is in transition to advance to the DII level in the NCAA. But while the stakes are not as significant as in year's past, the rivalry always has a special part for both teams as head coach Keely Peterson explains. "UT-Tyler's always a rivalry," said Coach Peterson. "It doesn't matter if it's conference or nonconference, it's always one where we want to go out and handle our business.' It will always be a rivalry in that sense. It's really always fun to play them and it's a good matchup. They're a strong team this year. In preparation, we know what we have to look out for. They have really big swings. Defensively, they've picked up their game. We're really excited to play them. It will be a good test for us and it will help us prepare for the long journey to Sul Ross this weekend."
By Friday, ETBU will have three games in Alpine as part of an ASC Crossover Tournament. First up will be the host school in Sul Ross State University. Two weeks ago, ETBU swept the Lobos in three sets in the Austin College Tournament to up the all-time head-to-head meeting to 21-0. Since then, SRSU has dropped two of their next three matches to put their record at 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the conference. Annika Canaba leads in kills (70) and blocks (11) while Karigan Edwards has a team-leading 70 digs.
Later that day, ETBU will take on McMurry University, ETBU holds a slight 10-9 edge over the War Hawks in the last 19 meetings with last season's five set loss being a factor. This season, McM is currently undefeated at 10-0 as they have dropped four sets all season long. Jasmine Jones is the top kill contributor with 95 kills while Emarie James leads the team with 187 assists.
Finishing out their weekend, ETBU will play Mary Hardin-Baylor. In 32 matches, which includes last season's three set loss, ETBU remains the edge holder winning 21 of the matches. UMHB is 6-1 having picked up their first conference win against Concordia. Corinne Novak has 83 kills for the team lead while the top assist leader is Cory Jo Martin with 217.
ETBU's first game vs. UTT starts at 7:00 PM tonight at Ornelas Gymnasium. Friday's games vs. SRSU and McM will be at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM respectively while Saturday's contest against UMHB begins at 10:00 AM.
