Spring Break
ECU Volleyball ends losing streak
Matthew Parker, Web Editor
Issue date: 10/28/08 Section: Sports
After putting forth strong efforts but falling short in its last two matches, the ECU volleyball team turned the corner and got the victory it was looking for on Sunday inside Minges Coliseum. The Pirates downed SMU 3-2 (13-25, 25-22, 16-25, 25-23, 15-13). With the win, ECU improves to 12-14 overall, including 2-9 in Conference USA action. SMU falls to 12-13 overall and 4-7 in the conference. The win also halts a 10 match losing streak for ECU, as the team had not won since defeating Morgan State on Sept. 20, and is the first for the Pirates in a five-set match this season.
Play in the first set resulted in a 3-3 tie before SMU was able to gain a five-point advantage at 10-5. The Mustangs went on to double the Pirates' score at 12-6, 16-8 and 20-10 before a late ECU rally made the final score 25-13 in favor of SMU. Hannah Fenker led the offense with two kills while Trish Monroe paced the defense with six digs.
The second set went much more the way of the hosts. After trailing the Mustangs 3-1 to begin, ECU forced a 4-4 tie before taking a 12-5 lead. SMU answered the Pirate surge, winning seven of the next eight points to close the gap to just two points at 13-11 before forcing a deadlock at 15. The match was also knotted at 16, 17, 18 and 19 points each, after which the Pirates took a narrow 21-19 advantage. ECU held onto the slim lead for the rest of the set and won 25-22. Melissa Zentner and Katie Prast each finished the set with four kills, while Lizzy Bruin tallied three. Monroe kept up her fine defensive play, digging out seven more balls.
ECU found itself down early in the third set, 5-0, but fought back to trail by just one, 6-5. The teams alternated points and SMU led 11-10 until winning six of the next eight points to establish a five-point lead, 17-12. The Mustangs continued to push points, going on an 8-4 run to close out the set, winning 25-16. The Pirates managed just four kills total in the set and hit--.216. Monroe again led the defense with four digs and Amanda Lutzow also picked up three.
Play in the first set resulted in a 3-3 tie before SMU was able to gain a five-point advantage at 10-5. The Mustangs went on to double the Pirates' score at 12-6, 16-8 and 20-10 before a late ECU rally made the final score 25-13 in favor of SMU. Hannah Fenker led the offense with two kills while Trish Monroe paced the defense with six digs.
The second set went much more the way of the hosts. After trailing the Mustangs 3-1 to begin, ECU forced a 4-4 tie before taking a 12-5 lead. SMU answered the Pirate surge, winning seven of the next eight points to close the gap to just two points at 13-11 before forcing a deadlock at 15. The match was also knotted at 16, 17, 18 and 19 points each, after which the Pirates took a narrow 21-19 advantage. ECU held onto the slim lead for the rest of the set and won 25-22. Melissa Zentner and Katie Prast each finished the set with four kills, while Lizzy Bruin tallied three. Monroe kept up her fine defensive play, digging out seven more balls.
ECU found itself down early in the third set, 5-0, but fought back to trail by just one, 6-5. The teams alternated points and SMU led 11-10 until winning six of the next eight points to establish a five-point lead, 17-12. The Mustangs continued to push points, going on an 8-4 run to close out the set, winning 25-16. The Pirates managed just four kills total in the set and hit--.216. Monroe again led the defense with four digs and Amanda Lutzow also picked up three.
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