MARSHALL, Texas — Taking three straight sets from Austin College, No. 1/ 2 East Texas Baptist University moved to 26-0 in a 25-16, 25-8, 25-16, victory over the Kangaroos. In the match,
Graycee Mosley earned her 1500th career digs,
Callie Humphrey posted five aces, and
Lara Hornsby recorded 15 kills. ETBU dominated the match with 44 kills and 12 service aces, while Austin College was limited to a .082 hitting percentage.
Humphrey contributed 21 digs as Mosley added six kills and collected 19 digs.
Sydney Temple facilitated the team's offense with 21 assists.
The Tigers started the first set with a strong offensive display. After an early exchange, Mosley secured a kill assisted by
Lexi Moody, leveling the score at 1-1. AC briefly pulled ahead at 7-3, but ETBU responded with a series of kills by
Anita Hancock and Hornsby, narrowing the gap to 7-6.
ETBU gained momentum midway through the set, turning a 16-14 deficit into a commanding lead. A pivotal service ace and a sequence of kills, predominantly facilitated by Temple, contributed to a decisive run. The Tigers closed the set on a strong note, winning 25-16, with a final kill by Hornsby.
In the second set, ETBU seized control with a commanding performance, sparked by a series of key plays from
Lindsey Gooch and Hornsby. Gooch delivered multiple kills, including a pivotal sequence that extended the lead to 13–3, aided by assists from Temple. Humphrey's serving proved crucial, contributing two service aces and facilitating a strong run for ETBU. Despite brief resistance from the Roo's, ETBU maintained its momentum, closing the set at 25–8 with a final kill from Mosley.
ETBU surged ahead in the third set with a pivotal sequence, sparked by Humphrey's back-to-back service aces that leveled the score at 7-7. This momentum was maintained as Hornsby contributed crucial points, including a kill to keep ETBU in the lead.
As the set progressed, Mosley's service ace extended the margin to 17-13, further solidifying their advantage. ETBU capitalized on Austin College's errors and strategic kills by
McKinzie Riley, Hancock, and Moody to close the set. The Tigers secured the set and the match with a final score of 25-16.
ETBU returns to action tomorrow against UC Santa Cruz at 2:00 p.m.
