TOPEKA, Kan. – Drury ended their opening weekend with a 3-1 record after splitting their final two games in the Washburn Invitational on Saturday in Topeka, Kansas. The Panthers defeated East Central 3-1 in their first game on Saturday, then lost 3-1 to Arkansas Tech.
 
Against East Central, the Panthers dropped the second set 27-25 but rebounded to handily win the third and fourth sets for a 3-1 victory (25-20, 25-27, 25-16, 25-18). Emalee Chrest led Drury with 13 kills and the junior from Wamego, Kansas added a career high 21 digs. Kendra Sater had 45 assists while Bree Schmidt had 22 digs. The loss dropped East Central to 0-4.
 
Arkansas Tech completed their tournament run with a perfect 4-0 record handing the Panthers a loss in four sets (20-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-21). Drury won the first set but the Golden Suns took control of the second set outscoring the Panthers 11-4 after the score had been tied 9-9. Arkansas Tech took a tight third set winning the final two points after a 23-23 deadlock. Drury had a 14-11 lead in the fourth set when the Golden Suns went on a 12-1 run setting up their win. Bentley Mara led Drury with 15 kills while Kendra Sater had 42 assists.
 
Drury returns to tournament play next weekend. The Panthers will play four games in the Southwest Baptist tournament on Sept. 8 and 9. Friday, Drury takes on Oklahoma Baptist at 1 p.m. then Adams State at 5 p.m. On Saturday, the Panthers have a 9 a.m. contest against Fort Lewis and then will battle SBU at 7 p.m.
 
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