East Carolina University
Memphis
Pirates Drop Third-Straight Match
October 09, 2009 | Volleyball
Oct. 9, 2009
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The East Carolina volleyball team suffered its third consecutive sweep Friday night, falling at Memphis (21-25, 14-25, 18-25). The Pirates are 8-10 overall and 1-5 in Conference USA play while the Tigers improve to 4-16 in 2009 and 1-5 in league action.
ECU led through much of the first set until Memphis rallied to tie the frame at 13. The teams would trade the advantage until the Tigers broke a 20-20 deadlock with a 3-0 run to shut the door and take the first interval 25-18.
Memphis blitzed the visitors with a 5-1 run to open the second set, but the Pirates had the answer, responding with a 7-3 run to even the score at eight. However, the Tigers had a run of their own in them, ripping off 15 of the next 19 points to take a commanding 23-12 advantage they would not lose. The squads traded points the rest of the way, as Memphis won 25-14 to take a 2-0 match lead into the intermission.
The third set stayed tight until the Tigers rushed out to a 15-11 lead. East Carolina could not recover from the run, as Memphis cruised to the 25-18 victory and the sweep.
Sophomore Britney Roper led the offense with 12 kills while senior Stephanie Turner contributed seven. Sophomore Nicole Jones paced the back row, picking up eight digs to go along with four each for Turner and Lizzy Bruin.
The Tigers hit well as a team, producing a .400 mark as compared to just .173 for the Pirates. Memphis also out-dug ECU 29-19 while also enjoying a 3-1 blocking advantage.
The Pirates will attempt to snap their skid on Sunday, visiting UAB for a 2 p.m. first serve at Bartow Arena.
