East Carolina turned up the heat after close first set loss Thursday evening, downing visiting Winthrop 3-1 (24-26, 25-21, 25-19, 25-11) in the opening round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
 
The Pirates (19-9) advance to face UConn (25-7) in the Super 16 Friday night at 6 p.m. The Huskies swept aside Mercer in Thursday's first contest.
 
ECU spread the wealth offensively, finishing the day with five players who posted double-digit kills. Junior middle blocker Carlia Northcross was lights out, tying her career high with 11 kills and committing zero attacking errors to hit a sizzling .647. She added six blocks for good measure. Graduate right side Fran McBride, redshirt junior outside hitter Izzy Marinelli and sophomore outside hitter Ellie Pate all contributed 11 kills of their own while sophomore right side Aulie Huff was spectacular – notching 10 kills with no errors for a .526 hitting percentage to go along with four total blocks.
 
Called upon to play a little more defense than usual, freshman setter Taryn Gilreath certainly answered the bell as she logged a double-double of 25 assists and a career-high 15 digs. Pate also served the Purple and Gold well as a six-rotation outside with standout outside hitter Angeles Alderete injured, registering a personal best matching 13 digs to etch a double-double into the box score.  
 
Avery Jolley paced the visiting Eagles (16-11) offensive with 17 kills while Isabella Murray chipped in with a double-double of 39 assists and 12 digs.