MARSHALL, Texas — Not disappointing in their 2025 home openers in Ornelas Gym, No. 11 East Texas Baptist University swept the University of Dallas 25-13, 25-7, 25-12 and Carroll 26-24, 25-21, 27-25 on Friday, moving to 6-0. The Tigers dominated the first day at the Tiger Invitational with a .363 hitting percentage, while limiting Dallas to a negative hitting percentage at -.054. The team's service game was strong, recording nine aces and only four service errors.
ETBU 3, University of Dallas 0
East Texas Baptist opened the first set with a commanding performance, establishing early momentum with a 4-0 run, highlighted by
Graycee Mosley's kill and a service ace from
Taylor Poore. As the set progressed, the team maintained its advantage with strategic plays, including a notable service ace by
Callie Humphrey at 10-7, contributing to a six-point streak that widened the gap. Mosley proved pivotal, delivering multiple kills, and the set concluded with a decisive service ace by Mosley to secure a 25-13 victory for ETBU.
The second set began with ETBU capitalizing on a service error from Dallas and quickly building a lead with an attack error by Anna Clement.
Sydney Temple orchestrated a standout performance, assisting on a series of kills by
Lindsey Gooch and Mosley, pushing the score to 7-1.
Lexi Moody and
McKinzie Riley continued the momentum, with Riley contributing multiple kills, helping extend the lead to 18-5. The set concluded with
Anita Hancock delivering the final blow, assisted by Temple, sealing a decisive 25-7 victory for the Tigers.
ETBU dominated the third set with a commanding performance, securing a 25-12 victory over Dallas.
Katherine Server's service ace early in the set, set the tone, propelling the Tigers to an early lead. Notably, Moody contributed significantly with consecutive service aces at the 21st and 22nd points, while Hancock's kill, facilitated by Moody, clinched the final point, capping ETBU's decisive run.
Mosley led ETBU with 13 kills on 22 attempts, achieving a hitting percentage of .500 and contributing two block assists. Hancock added a strong defensive presence with five block assists while collecting six kills. Moody facilitated the offense with 11 assists and contributed two service aces. Humphrey was active in the back row, recording 13 digs and one service ace.
ETBU 3, Carroll 0
ETBU claimed a narrow victory in the first set with a score of 26-24, overcoming Carroll in a close contest. The set saw standout performances from Gooch, who delivered a crucial kill at 25-24 and sealed the set with another to finish the period. Moody was instrumental in setting up multiple successful attacks, including a pivotal kill by
McKinzie Riley at 22-21, helping ETBU maintain its edge in a back-and-forth battle.
The second set saw another close battle unfold as the home team, led by Moody's strategic setting, secured a 25-21 victory. Early in the set, ETBU established momentum with Mosley and
Lara Hornsby each delivering consecutive kills, supported by precise assists from
Callie Humphrey and Temple. As the set climaxed, Gooch and Hancock played pivotal roles, with Gooch's late kill and a decisive block from Hancock and Gooch sealing the set for ETBU.
ETBU showed resilience in the third set, overcoming an early deficit with strategic play. Down 2-0 initially, the Tigers rallied with contributions from Mosley, who delivered a crucial kill and service ace to even the score at 2-2. With the set tied at 24-24, ETBU capitalized on Carroll's errors and seized the advantage, closing the set with a decisive service ace from Temple to secure a narrow 27-25 victory.
Mosley led ETBU with 10 kills and contributed defensively with six digs and four blocks. Moody facilitated the offense with 15 assists and added one service ace. Hancock was a force at the net, recording seven total blocks and five kills. Gooch was efficient in attack, finishing with eight kills on 13 attempts, resulting in a .538 hitting percentage.
The Tigers return tomorrow to close out the Tiger Invitational against Belhaven at 1:00 p.m. and Concordia (TX) at 7:00 p.m.
