Volleyball Continues Road Swing At Rice
October 30, 2009 | Volleyball
Oct. 30, 2009
ECU Volleyball Gameday Central
Complete Match Notes in PDF Format
HOUSTON, Texas - The East Carolina volleyball team travels to Houston for a pair of matches this weekend, starting Friday evening against Rice at the Tudor Fieldhouse. First serve is set for 8 p.m.
The Pirates square off against the Owls and Cougars for the first time this campaign and are looking to snap a skid that has seen them lose seven of eight appearances. ECU owns a winning record all-time against Rice, 3-2, while having secured just one win in program history over Houston. The Pirates lost to both squads last season by identical 3-0 scorelines.
Looking Back: East Carolina took UCF to extra rallies in two of three sets but could not deny the Knights a 3-0 victory last Friday. The Pirates then traveled to face league leader Southern Miss and met the same fate, falling in three sets. Blocking was a bright spot in the UCF match as redshirt freshman Briana Fleener and senior Melissa Zentner collected 11 and nine stuffs, respectively. Seniors Hannah Fenker and Stephanie Turner also picked up double-doubles in the matchup with the Knights as Fenker turned in 37 assists and 14 digs while Turner produced 14 kills and 14 digs.
Sitting Pretty
A few members of the team have put themselves into the top 10 on some of the East Carolina career ledgers. Fenker and classmate Stephanie Turner are currently eighth and 10th on the digs list, with 966 and 954, respctively. Fenker also resides in sixth on the assists chart, as she owns 1,865.
.200 Or Better
If the Pirates have compiled a .200-plus hitting percentage in 2009, they have been unstoppable, racking up a 7-0 record. In two of those contests, East Carolina has surpassed the .400 plateau, firing at .442 and .434 clips against Savannah State and Winston-Salem State, respectively.
Digging For Victories
It is a widely held mantra that defense wins championships. For the Pirates in 2009, it also means winning games during the season as ECU owns a 7-0 mark when out-digging its opponents. In four of the victories, the Pirates have surpassed 40 (UNC Asheville 45, St. John's 58, Campbell 72, UNCW 76).
A Good Start Is Essential
Just as breakfast is a good start to a day, the Pirates winning the first set of a match has proven quite beneficial. When taking the first frame this season, East Carolina is 8-1.
