ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - A triple-double by Tara Wait, and a career-high 36 digs by Ashley Wake led the Ouachita Tigers to a 3-2 victory of the East Central Tigers on Friday night. Game scores were 22-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-16, 15-6. 

After two sets in which Ouachita recorded attacking percentages of only .085 and .083, the Tigers stormed back and won the third set 25-21.

During the fourth and fifth sets, Ouachita recorded an attacking percentage of .211, compared to ECU's percentages of .021 and -.047. Caitlin Cantrell led Ouachita in the third set, compiling four kills and no errors. Chelsey Hess also recorded 12 digs in the set.

In the fourth set, Kori Bullard led Ouachita with five kills, and Wake added eight digs. 

After a dominating fourth set in which Ouachita recorded seven more kills and three less errors than East Central, the teams entered the fifth set. 

In the fifth set, Ouachita continued their run, outscoring ECU 9-1 after the first ten points. East Central eventually decreased the lead to 10-6, but Ouachita responded with five consecutive points to win the final set 15-6. Wait and Abby Pickett led the way for Ouachita, recording 3 kills and 2 kills, respectively. 

Wait finished the match with 38 assists, 14 digs and 10 kills. She also added four assisted blocks.

Stephanie Pollnow led Ouachita with 11 kills, and Pickett followed with nine. Kelley Ballard led Ouachita with 15.5 points, as she finished with seven kills, four solo blocks and seven assisted blocks.

Five of Ouachita's Tigers finished with at least 14 digs in the match. Wait and Jayme Shell each posted 14, while Keely Howk recorded 19. Hess finished with 27, and Wake's career-high of 36 led all players in the match. 

The Ouachita Tigers (12-6, 5-5) have clinched a spot in the Great American Conference Tournament with the victory over East Central. On Saturday, Oct. 18, the Tigers will host Southeastern Oklahoma State and Alabama Huntsville for a weekend doubleheader. The matches are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.