Early (14-18, 4-8) entered Tuesday’s action three games back of both Millsap (21-16, 7-4) and Dublin (15-8, 7-4), tied for third place, with three matches remaining. With the loss to Eastland (6-13, 4-8), the Lady Horns cannot make up the needed ground and would lose a tiebreaker to the Lady Mavs, who earned the league sweep.
Taylor Summers led the Lady Horns with 16 kills trailed by Hadalee Saunders with six, Carrigan Norris with four, and Jordan Simmons, Gabby Leal and Bethany Tomlinson with two apiece.
Tomlinson dished out 26 assists while Grace LaRue chipped in two and Norris added one.
Defensively, Summers collected 10 digs followed by LaRue with three, Mattyson Boswell with two and Norris with one.
Saunders notched a team-high three blocks while Summers and Simmons both finished with two.
The Lady Horns head to Millsap Saturday at noon and Dublin Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. to conclude the season.