RICHARDSON, Texas - In a top 25 match up, the #21 East Texas Baptist University volleyball team gave #15 University of Texas Dallas a push in two matches but came up short in both, 3-0. ETBU is now 5-2 and 4-2 in the American Southwest Conference.

ETBU saw their win streak end in the first match with a three set loss (25-14, 25-23, 25-16). Kayla Rainey led ETBU with seven kills. Both Claire Johnson and Laney Smith recorded seven assists while Lillie Hill picked up 23 digs.

The second set would be another UTD sweep (25-20, 25-9, 28-26). Rainey once again led ETBU in kills with eight. Allie Fennell recorded seven kills while Annie Harris and Maddie Scott had six kills. Johnson would have a double-double with 14 assists and 10 digs.
 

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Game 1: UTD 3, ETBU 0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-16)
After ETBU won the first point, UTD took command with a 6-0 run. ETBU came as close as 6-4, but the Comets ran out to a 20-8 lead. ETBU would trim the deficit to 21-13 before UTD secured the final four points in the last five serves for a 25-14 set one win.

Trailing 2-1 in the second set, ETBU would put together seven of the next nine points to lead 8-3. This lead would be stretched to 13-8, but UTD would went on an 11-4 run to retake the lead, 19-17. ETBU answered with three straight points to move ahead, 20-19. ETBU then took a 23-21 lead, but UTD took the second set taking the final four points, 25-23.

The Comets carried their set two momentum into the third set building a 10-3 lead. The next three points belonged to the Tigers, who managed to pull within four, 10-6. However, the Comets prevented any ETBU runs as they pushed the lead to 20-8. ETBU made a slight comeback but couldn't catch UTD falling in match one, 25-16.
 

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Game 2: UTD 3, ETBU 0 (25-20, 25-9, 28-26)
The first part of the first set would follow a pattern with UTD taking the lead only for ETBU to rally and tie the score. Rainey was instrumental in the first 18 serves with three kills as the score was tied at nine. Tied at 13, the Comets would go on a tear scoring five of the next six points to lead, 18-14. The Tigers closed the gap to two, 19-17, but were unable to get closer as the Comets won set one 25-20.

Harris would start ETBU off with a kill in second set. After leading 2-1, ETBU would concede the next seven points to trail 8-2. The Tigers would be plagued by eight attack errors, which allowed the Comets to open their lead to as much as 23-7. Despite eight kills, ETBU was unable to reach double-figures as the Comets took a two-set lead with, 25-9.

With their backs to the wall, the Tigers would start off strong in the third with a 5-0 lead. But UTD would come back and work to tie the score at 12. The two would then trade points as neither side created more than a two-point lead. The Tigers would be at set point at 24-22 before the Comets tied the score at 24. Twice more ETBU was at set point but the Comets tied up the match each time. Tied at 26, UTD took the final two points to win the match, 28-26.


ETBU will be back at Ornelas Gymnasium next Tuesday with a doubleheader against LeTourneau University starting at 4:30 p.m.