ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State drops to East Central after five sets. The Reddies won the first two sets, but the Tigers responded by winning the following three to win the match 3-2.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Christiane Uzoh had a career-high 20 kills and tallied three blocks. Madison Hatt added to her double-double total after recording 30 assists and 14 digs. The sophomore setter also led the team with three service aces.
 
In defense, Kaitlyn Sykes led the team with six blocks, while Uzoh and Larkin Luke each had three. Dani Dagley and Trinity Sharp had 26 and 20 digs, respectively.
 
The Reddies return to the Sooner State for back-to-back matches against Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University. HSU will face Northwestern first on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m.
 
SET ONE
ECU struck first to take a 4-0 lead over HSU, but the Reddies' attack scored four unanswered points to close the deficit. The two sides went back and forth, forcing three lead changes and six ties. Henderson broke the deadlock with a three-point run to take a 15-13 advantage.
 
A flurry of attacks quickly put the Reddies up 20-15, but the Tigers responded with a burst of attacks to close the gap. Up 21-19, Henderson outscored East Central 5-1 to win the opening set 25-20.
 
SET TWO
The Tigers raced to a 9-1 lead and kept up the scoring to lead 17-8. The Reddies fought back with a five-point run to close the gap to four, trailing 17-13. ECU did not let HSU get close, holding a slim advantage.
 
At 23-19, Henderson rallied with a six-point run to take the lead 24-23. After back-and-forth play from the two sides, the set was in extra points. The Tigers had two costly errors, giving the Reddies a second-set victory. Henderson won the set 27-25 and finished with a .233 attack average.
 
SET THREE
Henderson scored the first two points of the set, followed by four kills from East Central. The two teams went point for point till the score was 11-10 in HSU's favor. The Tigers outscored the Reddies 5-2 to regain control, 15-13. ECU found breathing room after a four-point run to lead 22-17 and continued to score, winning the set 25-20.
 
SET FOUR
Set four would be the most chaotic of the match, with three lead changes and nine tie scores. The frame went back and forth early, and no team could find any clear advantage. At 19-19, the Tigers found separation with a four-point run followed by two kills to win the set 25-20 and force a final frame.
 
 
SET FIVE
Henderson opened the scoring, but East Central scored in bunches to take a 5-2 advantage. A 6-0 run by the Tigers put them ahead 12-5. A pair of kills by ECU would be enough to end the set, winning 15-8.