MARSHALL, Texas - Facing match point by Sul Ross State University in the fourth set, the East Texas Baptist University volleyball team pushed back and rallied to win a thrilling five-set match (16-25, 25-23, 20-25, 26-24, 15-10) against the Lobos. ETBU is now 4-5 overall and 3-2 in the conference.

ETBU had two double-double performances from Avery Reid (16 kills, 11 digs) and Jenna Helms (19 assists, 10 digs), which ignited ETBU's performance. Lillie Hill produced 21 digs while Hope Shipp contributed 11 digs and three service aces. To go along with seven kills and eight digs, Brooke O'Neal had four blocks while Annie Harris finished with six blocks for the match.

At the beginning of the match, both teams would play even against each other as the Tigers led 9-8. But, plagued by a total of six attack errors, the Tigers proceeded to give up 10 of the next 11 points, which allowed SRSU to a 18-10 edge. The lead stayed as high as eight points for the next few serves and, although ETBU was able to bring the set within 21-16, the Lobos ran off four straight points for the first set win at 25-16.

Feasting from the early win, the Lobos jumped out to a 7-2 lead in set two. ETBU chipped away at the margin with a pair of Reid kills, but couldn't get as close as 11-8. Trailing 16-10, the Tigers then caught fire with eight straight points with half coming from Lobo attack errors. Once the set was tied at 19, the next six points were exchanged. After Kayla Rainey's kill put ETBU up one, a bad set by SRSU made it a two-point lead that ETBU would keep at 25-23 to even the set.

Two kills from Rainey and two service aces from Hill sparked an early 7-3 lead to begin set three. SRSU responded with a 7-3 run of their own to tie the game. With ETBU up 14-12, the Lobos put up five straight points that gave them the lead for good. ETBU managed to bring the set to 22-19 before SRSU finished 25-20 winners.

The fourth set would be tightly contested as neither side was able to pull away. Trailing 9-6 early, the Tigers would rack up a 7-1 run with Helms and Shipp collecting service aces. ETBU then upped their lead to 16-12 before the Lobos responded with a 9-2 run to lead 21-18. Down by three, Shipp and Kiley Smink recorded kills to tie the set at 22. Soon, the Lobos were at match point up 24-23. But Reid would come through with three straight kills to earn a 26-24 win and force the fifth set.

After exchanging four points to start the fifth set, ETBU would take command with a 6-1 run to lead 8-3. The Lobos could only get within three points on two different occasions. In the end, clutch kills by Shipp and the final kill from Smink allowed the Tigers to secure the win 15-10.

ETBU hits the road next week in Jackson, Miss., to meet with Belhaven University at 7:00 PM.