DENTON, Texas (Sept. 26) – The TWU volleyball team defeated visiting East Central in straight sets, 25-7, 25-13, and 25-18, Saturday afternoon in a non-conference game.  With the win the Pioneers improved to 10-3 on the season.
 
Senior Hillary Shaffer led the game with nine kills while junior Sara Oxford and freshman Makayla Mayfield added seven kills each.  Oxford also recorded a .583 hitting percentage.  Senior Torie Talkington posted a game-high 13 digs while Mayfield finished with 10.
 
In the first set it was all Pioneers as the jumped out to a 4-0 lead and never looked back.  Leading 9-3, TWU went on a 6-1 run to make it 15-4.  After a ECU point the Pioneers scored eight straight points before winning the set by 18 points.
 
In the second TWU fell behind 3-1 but scored four straight points to go on top 5-3.  The Pioneers used another 6-0 run to take control and later closed out the set on 4-0 run.
 
The Tigers again jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the third.  TWU used an 8-2 run to go on top 9-5.  After two straight points by ECU, the Pioneers went on an 8-0 run to build a 10-point lead.  The Tigers did not go away as they used a 6-1 run to cut the deficit to five but TWU outscored them 7-5 to close out the game.
 
"Before we started the weekend I told the girls that we want to be 10-3 by the end of the weekend and that's exactly what we did," said TWU head coach Shelly Barberee.  "Our passing improved these two days and we served well today.  Every player in uniform had an opportunity to play in the game and I am happy with our performance."
 
The Pioneers will return to action when they travel to Wichita Falls, TX, on Friday, Oct. 2 to face Midwestern State.  First serve is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in D.L. Ligon Coliseum.