Patriots Fall to ETBU in Conference Opener
September 20, 2005
By Brett Hone
Tyler Morning Telegraph

Not even the first home game of the year at the Louise Herrington Patriot Center could break the Patriot netters winless streak in Tyler.

In an American Southwest Conference volleyball opener against East Texas Baptist, UT Tyler lost in three straight games, 30-28, 31-29, 30-26, pushing its home record to 0-4 and overall mark to 3-7 (0-1 ASC).

UT Tyler junior outside hitter Jessica Lightfoot helped keep all three games close by tallying 15 digs, 14 kills and four blocks (three assisted).

The Patriots looked to have everything well in hand in the first game with a 27-25 lead, but ETBU ripped off the next five points. Tigers' senior outside hitter Arden Tunnell had seven of her 18 kills in the first game, along with two digs.

The second game was the most closely contested of the night. Though it was back and forth for the majority of the game, ETBU had match point at 29-25. UT Tyler claimed the next four points with kills by Amanda Gadison and Megan McCarty and two attack errors by the Tigers. Gadison finished the match with 13 kills, two digs and two block assists.

Two consecutive kills by freshman middle blocker Leslie Ward ended the Patriots' rally, though, giving the Tigers a two-games-to-none edge. Freshman outside hitter McCarty had her best game of the match with four kills and four digs.

ETBU jumped to a quick 18-11 lead in the third game but the resilient Patriots seemed determined to make it close at the end yet again. The Patriots cut the lead to 28-25, but the Tigers outside hitter Tunnell, who had another seven-kill game in the third, and middle blocker Jasmine Manson were too much for UT Tyler.

ETBU (8-4, 2-1) will continue conference play, hosting LeTourneau Tuesday and the Patriots will travel to Austin College in Sherman for a match on Friday.

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