SHERMAN, Texas — For the first time in program history, No. 1 East Texas Baptist University finished the regular season undefeated at 29-0 as they swept both the University of the Ozarks and Austin. They are now the only remaining undefeated volleyball program in NCAA Division III. ETBU Swept Ozarks (Ark.) 25-11, 25-11, 25-16, and then swept Austin College 27-25, 25-17, 25-18, all at the Austin College Invitational.
ETBU 3, Ozarks 0
In their first time playing the Eagles, ETBU achieved a .506 hitting percentage and recorded 46 kills against only 7 errors and had 42 digs.
Graycee Mosley led with 26 kills, hitting .632 and recording her 80th career double-double with 18 digs.
Callie Humphrey led the team in digs with 19.
Lexi Moody recorded 20 assists as
Sydney Temple added 19 assists.
ETBU opened the first set with a strong performance, quickly recovering from an early point by Ozarks to take the lead. Mosley delivered consecutive kills, all assisted by Moody, pushing the home team ahead to a 6-1 advantage. Temple further extended the lead with two service aces and a kill, contributing to a 12-3 lead. Despite a few points from Ozarks, the Tigers maintained control, with Mosley securing the final point, ending the set 25-11 in their favor.
ETBU took control in the second set with a run, beginning with an attack error by Ozarks and a service ace by
Sadie Kasowski. Mosley orchestrated a series of kills, asisted by Moody, that significantly extended their lead. Despite a few successful attacks from Ozarks, the Tigers maintained momentum, closing the set with a kill by Mosley, assisted by Moody, to secure a 25-11 victory.
ETBU capitalized on a series of errors from Ozarks to gain momentum early in the third set.
Lara Hornsby's serving and Moody's setting facilitated a substantial run, highlighted by kills from Mosley and
Anita Hancock, which built an 8-1 lead. Despite a few points from Ozarks, the Tigers maintained control, with Humphrey delivering two service aces that pushed the score to 11-2.
Ozarks attempted a comeback but was unable to halt the consistent offensive pressure from ETBU. Mosley and Hancock continued to find success at the net, and a final kill from Hancock closed the set at 25-16 for the sweep.
ETBU 3, Austin College 0
The Tigers swept the Kangaroos for the second time this season, winning 27-25, 25-17, 25-18 on the Roo's homecourt and securing a perfect regular-season record at 29-0. Mosley recorded 10 kills and collected a team-high 18 digs.
Katherine Server posted six kills without an error and led the team in blocks with seven. Moody set up the offense with 20 assists while adding six digs and two kills. Hornsby registered nine kills and added four blocks. The Tigers dominated at the net, tallying 11 total blocks and 45 kills.
ETBU opened the first set with momentum, quickly tying the set at 1-1 following a kill by Mosley, assisted by Moody. Temple recorded a service ace to add to a 4-2 lead. Austin College responded, but ETBU surged ahead again, extending their lead to 10-4, aided by consistent performance from Hornsby and
Lindsey Gooch. The Roo's narrowed the gap with a series of points, bringing the score to 16-16, but fought back as
McKinzie Riley delivered crucial kills, regaining a 18-17 lead. AC Tied the score 24-24 but ETBU secured the set victory with decisive plays from Riley and Hornsby, winning 27-25.
The Tigers firmly won the second set, starting with Riley's kill from a Moody assist. Despite a few back-and-forth points early on, ETBU capitalized on Austin's errors, notably through Katie Server's blocking, leading to multiple attack errors by Austin. The visitors maintained momentum with kills from Mosley and Gooch, coupled with Moody's service ace, widening their lead. ETBU effectively closed the set with another kill by Riley, overcoming Austin's resistance and securing the set at 25-17.
ETBU seized control in the third set, building momentum with key plays from Mosley and Gooch. Mosley opened with a kill from Moody, while Gooch contributed with a critical kill assisted by Temple, pushing the team to a 7-5 lead. The visitors continued to extend their advantage as Hornsby and Server executed pivotal blocks and kills, contributing significantly to the lead. Despite a brief surge from Austin, ETBU maintained its lead to secure the 25-18 victory and take the match win.
ETBU is now 29-0 on the season and will host the ASC Tournament on Friday and Saturday next weekend in Ornelas Gym.
