MARSHALL, Texas — Finishing off the Tiger Invite undefeated, No. 11 East Texas Baptist University swept Belhaven University 25-10, 25-13, 25-21 and Concordia University Texas in three sets, 25-15, 25-13, 25-15 on Saturday at Ornelas Gymnasium. Improving to 8-0, ETBU swept every opponent this weekend in Ornelas Gym.
ETBU 3, Carroll University 0
ETBU displayed dominance with a .324 hitting percentage and eight service aces posting a strong defensive performance with 46 digs, securing a decisive victory in straight sets.
East Texas Baptist opened the first set with a commanding performance, quickly establishing a 4-0 lead through a series of points initiated by
Taylor Poore's service ace. The home team continued to dominate as
Graycee Mosley delivered an impressive string of service aces, contributing to a seven-point run that pushed the score to 17-3. Despite a brief rally from Belhaven, which included a four-point stretch, the Tigers sealed the first set victory at 25-10 with strong defensive plays and consistent scoring from
Lara Hornsby.
Opening the second set with an impressive 10-point streak, ETBU's highlights came by Mosley's three kills and
Heidi Wilson's two service aces.
McKenzie Mansell displayed exceptional setting abilities, contributing directly to five early points, moving to a commanding lead. Despite a late surge from Belhaven, the Tigers maintained their advantage, with
Emily Sitton and Mosley each adding crucial kills to close the set at 25-13.
The third set began with the Tigers establishing an early lead, as Mosley notched a kill from
Sydney Temple at the outset. The teams traded points through the middle portion, with Mosley emerging as a key contributor, delivering five kills throughout the set, including the decisive point at 25-21. Temple provided consistent support with numerous assists, while
Katherine Server added crucial points to maintain the lead and ultimately secure the set for East Texas Baptist.
Mosley led ETBU with an impressive 16 kills and added four service aces, contributing to a total of 21 points.
Anita Hancock bolstered the defense with three block assists while also recording four kills on nine attempts for a .444 hitting percentage. Mansell facilitated the offense with 14 assists over three sets, complementing her effort with one kill.
Sadie Kasowski was active defensively, leading the team with 10 digs over two matches.
ETBU 3, Concordia 0
The Tigers hit .297 against Concordia Texas holding them to a .093 mark. ETBU also showcased strong serving, with seven aces compared to CTX's three.
East Texas Baptist set the tone early in the first set, claiming a 3-0 lead with a combination of a kill by Mosley and an attack error from the opposition. Moody played a pivotal role, contributing multiple assists, including a key setup for Riley's back-to-back kills that extended the lead to 9-5. Mosley then delivered two service aces and a kill, fueling a decisive 5-0 run that helped push the score to 18-11, ultimately leading the Tigers to a confident 25-15 victory in the opening set.
ETBU opened the second set with a 2-0 lead, capitalizing on two attack errors by CTX. A competitive exchange saw the score even at 6-6. However, ETBU gained momentum with a service ace by Temple and a series of points anchored by
Callie Humphrey, who contributed assists and blocks to extend the lead to 16-8.
Lindsey Gooch and Hancock added crucial kills, and Server's service ace pushed ETBU to a commanding 19-10 advantage. The Tigers maintained control and clinched the set 25-13 with a final kill by Mosley.
The third set began with Concordia taking an early lead, but ETBU quickly responded with a series of successful plays. Riley and Hancock each delivered important kills to tie the score at 2-2. A critical momentum shift occurred when Temple's service ace at 8-3 sparked a significant scoring run. Gooch was instrumental in this stretch, securing consecutive kills to extend the lead. As the set progressed, Moody's setting contributed to multiple kills, including those by Hornsby. ETBU capitalized on Concordia's errors and maintained control, ultimately closing the set with a decisive 25-15 victory.
Mosley led the offensive charge for ETBU, recording eight kills and contributing two service aces. Gooch demonstrated efficiency at the net with seven kills on nine attempts, achieving a .778 hitting percentage while adding two blocks. Moody facilitated the offense, tallying 13 assists and contributing 10 digs to the defensive effort for a double-double. Hornsby was effective in attack, finishing with eight kills on 12 swings for a .583 hitting percentage and recording a service ace and two blocks.
ETBU heads to the Trinity University Tiger Classic for a Friday match against Whitworth (Wash.) at 3:30 p.m., followed by Saturday matches against the University of Northwestern (Minn.) at 1:15 p.m. and Trinity (Texas) at 5:00 p.m.
