Eastern Kentucky University volleyball continued its run in the United Atlantic Conference on Thursday, overcoming a five-set battle to defeat Texas-Arlington 3-2 at Baptist Health Arena. The victory pushes the Colonels to a 21-2 overall record and keeps them perfect in conference play at 11-0, as reported by EKU Sports.
Alexis Bull dominates former team in five-set thriller
The match was defined by a personal narrative for Alexis Bull, who spent three seasons with UT-Arlington before transferring to EKU. Bull proved to be a decisive factor against her former teammates, recording 10 kills, eight blocks, four digs, and an ace. Her efficiency was particularly striking; she committed only two errors in 20 attempts, finishing the night with a .400 attack percentage.
The Colonels didn’t just rely on Bull’s familiarity with the Mavericks’ defense. Emilee Hill delivered a massive all-around performance, securing a triple-double with 10 kills, 28 assists, 19 digs, and four blocks. The offensive load was shared across the roster, with Audrey Hudson contributing 13 kills and 15 digs, Addison Burke adding 12 kills and 10 digs, and Emma Closurdo chipping in 11 kills, six digs, and four blocks.
The match began with a volatile exchange of momentum. EKU and Texas-Arlington traded dominant sets, each winning one 25-15. The third set appeared to be slipping away from the Mavericks when EKU surged to a 20-12 lead, but UTA fought back to within two points at 23-21. A kill by Caitlyn Flees brought the Colonels to set-point, and Addison Burke closed it out 25-22.
Late-set volatility forces a deciding fifth
The fourth set mirrored the tension of the third. EKU managed to tie the score at 22-22 and 23-23 late in the frame thanks to kills from Burke and Hudson. However, the home crowd watched as the Mavericks reclaimed control. A kill from Evyn Snook combined with an EKU attack error handed the set to UTA 25-23, leveling the match and forcing a tie-breaker.
Any remaining momentum for Texas-Arlington vanished instantly in the fifth set. Eastern Kentucky stormed out to a 5-0 lead and never relinquished the advantage. The Colonels’ precision improved drastically in the final frame, hitting .500 in the fifth set compared to a struggling .176 for the overall match. A kill from Hill and an attack error pushed the lead to 9-3, and Emma Closurdo eventually sealed the 15-9 victory with a final kill.
Despite the loss, Evyn Snook was the match’s most prolific scorer, leading all players with 23 kills and a .333 attack percentage. Texas-Arlington also held a slight edge in blocking, 12-11, but struggled with consistency at the service line, committing five more service errors than the Colonels.
Statistcal Breakdown: EKU vs. Texas-Arlington
| Category | Eastern Kentucky (EKU) | Texas-Arlington (UTA) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 21-2 (11-0 UAC) | 10-13 (4-7 UAC) |
| Match Attack % | .176 | .164 |
| Fifth Set Attack % | .500 | N/A |
| Total Blocks | 11 | 12 |
The stakes for EKU remain high as they maintain their grip on the UAC standings. For Texas-Arlington, the loss highlights a season of inconsistency, leaving them below .500 and struggling to find a foothold in the conference race.
The Colonels have no time to dwell on the five-set grind. They hit the road immediately to face North Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 2:00 p.m. ET. Fans can follow the action via ESPN+.
