By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

BELTON, Texas -- East Texas Baptist University recorded 35 kills and limited Willamete University to 23 kills, as the Tigers downed the Bearcats, 3-0, in the first match of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Volleyball Invitational on Friday, Sept. 4 in Belton, Texas. East Texas Baptist won, 25-21, 25-13, 25-23. It was the season opener for both teams.

ETBU was led by Mallory Sanders, who recorded 15 kills, 10 digs and three block assists. She earned a .333 hitting percentage. Adaeze Elonu added six kills and hit .357 for the Tigers.

Elyse Shaw recorded 14 digs and 11 assists for East Texas Baptist. Hannah Jones of ETBU led all players with 23 digs, while teammate Reighanna Guzman attained a match-high 15 assists.

For the Bearcats, Sarah Fincher (Sr., OH, Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS/Southwest Baptist Univ.) finished with seven kills. Alexa Dowdell (Jr., MH/OPP, Mililani, HI/Maryknoll HS) provided the Bearcats with five kills.

Lindsey Compton (Sr., OH/S, Portola, CA/Portola HS/Univ. of Hartford) registered a team-high 18 digs. Macy Hayashi (Sr., OH, Hilo, HI/Waiakea HS) contributed 15 digs and Riley Fawcett (Jr., OH, Normandy Park, WA/John F. Kennedy HS) added 10 digs.

The Tigers achieved a .245 team hitting percentage and amassed eigth service aces. Willamette recorded 7.5 team total blocks compared to 3.0 blocks for ETBU. The Bearcats earned just two service aces and had seven serving errors.

Willamette was set to play Trinity University (Texas) on Friday night. The UMHB Volleyball Invitational will conclude on Saturday, Sept. 5, with the Bearcats taking on Hardin-Simmons University (Texas) at 12:30 p.m. CST/10:30 a.m. PDT and facing Mary Hardin-Baylor at 4:30 p.m. CST/2:30 p.m. PDT.