Recap courtesy ecupirates.com
GREENVILLE, N.C. – For the first time in six years the East Carolina volleyball team started the season with a 4-0 record after sweeping North Carolina A&T (0-8) in a mid-week, non-conference match Tuesday night at Minges Coliseum. ECU held off the Aggies 25-10, 25-15, 25-18 in a match that saw all 15 Pirates see action.
“I am very proud of the girls,” Head Coach Julie Torbett said. “They are 4-0 and are so excited about the potential the team has. We know the road ahead is going to get much tougher, but we are prepared to work.”
The Pirates spread the wealth as all 15 players contributed both offensively and defensively. Sophomore outside hitter Sydney Darden led the offensive attack with nine kills while hitting .350 in the contest. She also added five digs, two block assists and a service ace. Zarah Cecich controlled the ball well as she tallied 30 assists to go along with four kills on six attempts for a .667 clip. The senior setter added three digs and a block assist in the win.
“Sydney continues to pound the ball for us,” Torbett said. “Zarah is the calming force on the court.”
Defensively, junior Erika Figueroa set the tone with a team-high nine digs, while freshman Alex Jessett added seven and junior Lauren Bewick posted six. The trio combined to wear the libero jersey as Bewick took the first set, Jessett the second and Figueroa the third.
“We have a versatile back court and had three different players wear the libero jersey for us tonight,” Torbett added. “It was great to see contributions from all 15 players.”
As a team the Pirates hit .345 with 38 kills on 84 attempts with just nine errors. The ECU defense accumulated 39 digs and posted 3.0 team blocks.
East Carolina controlled the first set as the Pirates broke an early 1-1 tie with a kill from Ashley McRae to take the lead and never look back. ECU rattled off eight points to the Aggies’ one forcing A&T to call for a timeout and regroup. The break in action gave the Aggies back the ball, but the Pirates quickly earned a sideout on a kill off the hands of Darden. ECU extended its lead to 11 (18-7) after a kill from Sierra Lee-Dunson and the Pirates went on to take the set, 25-10.
The Pirates switched up the lineup in the second set, but still jumped out in front 5-1 as North Carolina A&T took a time out. East Carolina never trailed in the second frame as the Pirates held a steady lead throughout hitting .455 in the set, while limiting the Aggies to just .179 hitting. ECU cruised to a 10-point win, 25-15, to take a 2-0 advantage into the locker room at the break.
The third set saw another lineup juggle and this time the Aggies took an early lead as the Pirates fell behind 5-0. East Carolina would not be deterred and the Pirates tallied five points while only allowing one from A&T to pull within one (6-5). As the Pirates rallied and took an 8-7 lead, the Aggies called a timeout and were able to regain the lead following the break. However, the lead was short-lived as the Pirates collected five straight points highlighted by back-to-back kills from freshman Natalie Montini. With a 17-12 advantage, ECU held the Aggies at bay and went on to complete the sweep, 25-18.
North Carolina A&T was led by Samara Brown’s six kills, four digs and three assists. Liz Martino collected 15 assists, while Brooke Stamnes added a team-best nine digs.
East Carolina’s next action will be at the Penn State Invitational beginning Friday, September 19. The Pirates will take on Eastern Illinois at 9 a.m. and UIC at 1 p.m. on day one of the tournament, before going up against DePaul at 2 p.m. and No. 3 Penn State at 7:30 p.m., on Saturday, September 20.