BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Concordia Texas volleyball squad split the first day of the ASC Crossover at the Concordia Fieldhouse Friday, droping a close 3-0 decision against UT Tyler then bouncing back for a 3-0 sweep of East Texas Baptist.

In the first match, Carly Custer finished the with a team-high eight kills, while her and sophomore libero Lexi Perez both had 10 digs for the Tornados. Meanwhile freshman setter Lianne Van Dyke had 29 assists and two service aces on the day.

Kelly Farina carried the Tornados in match two with 10 kills and 11 digs. Marissa Stinson had eight kills and six block assists in the second contest.

MATCH ONE – UTT 3, CTX 0 (25-13, 25-23, 28-26)

Down two sets to none, the Tornados carried their competitive fight to the third set as neither team was able to pull away. Tied at 14 all, UT Tyler pulled off four straight points to take their biggest lead of the set, but after a Concordia timeout, the Tornados returned with their own run tying it at 20-20. A kill by junior outside hitter Carly Custer gave Concordia match point at 24-22, but were unable to close it out as the Patriots chipped away tying the score eventually at 26 all. Back to back kills by UT Tyler ended the match with a set score of 28-26.

The Tornados fell behind early in the first set to the Patriots, eventually dropping the set 25-13. The second set was a back-and-forth affair with neither team able to extend their lead. Tied at 18-18, UT Tyler began to pull away with a 7-2 to set up match point. But Concordia would not go down without a fight reeling off four straight points to make it 23-24. A Patriots kill ended the set though, winning it 25-23.

MATCH TWO – CTX d. ETBU 3-0 25-18, 25-18, 25-17)

Despite coming off a loss earlier in the day, Concordia came out firing on all cylinders in the Friday's nightcap.

The Tornados opened up the contest on a 5-0 run, forcing East Texas Baptist to take an early timeout. CTX controlled the opening frame whistle-to-whistle, and took the set 25-18.

The Tigers started the second set with the momentum early, but the Tornados were soon right there, taking the middle stanza 25-18.

While there were some heavy exchanges early in the clinching set, Concordia took control late and closed out the set in a dominant 25-16 performance.

The Tornados return to action tomorrow with a 3 p.m. contest against LeTourneau.