East Carolina University
Marshall
Pirates Drop 3-1 Decision At Marshall
September 19, 2009 | Volleyball
Sept. 19, 2009
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A thrilling 31-29 win in the second frame was not enough on Saturday, as the East Carolina volleyball team fell in its conference opener at Marshall, 3-1. The Pirates are now 5-6 while the Herd improves to 12-2.
Marshall jumped out to a 6-3 lead in the first set, but ECU rallied with four-straight points to take its first advantage of the match. After the Pirates pushed ahead 10-8, the Herd produced a 7-3 run that forced East Carolina to take a timeout. Marshall would take control from there, taking a lead of 20-14 before the Pirates responded and pulled within 23-20. However the Herd closed out the set by scoring two of the next three points.
ECU held the upper hand early in the second frame, taking an 8-5 advantage on a kill by Hannah Fenker. Marshall then rallied to tie things at 10 but the Pirates scored six of the next nine points to assume a 16-13 margin and force a Herd timeout. Marshall would respond again, knotting the score at 18 before a wild finish ensued. With East Carolina holding a 24-23 edge on a Britney Roper kill, the Herd fought off five match points before taking a 29-28 lead. However, a service error by Marshall's Emily Sullivan and a kill in the middle by Lizzy Bruin allowed the Pirates to clinch the 31-29 set victory and tie the contest.
With the Herd owning a 11-8 lead in the third set, ECU rallied with a 5-2 run to even things up at 13. Although the Pirates would cut the deficit to 21-19, Marshall proved too much, capturing a 25-20 win to go up 2-1 in the match.
The Herd scored on eight of the first 10 rallies of the final set, but East Carolina pushed back and eventually tied the frame at 21. However, Marshall held on for the 25-22 win to clinch the contest.
Turner led the offense, killing 13 balls while Melissa Zentner, Roper and Bruin contributed 11, 10 and 10, respectively. Bruin and Fenker also showed well at the net, combining for 11 block assists, including a career-high five by Fenker. At libero, Amanda Lutzow picked up 13 digs to pace the defense.
The Herd held the edge in hitting (.288-.184) and digs (59-48) while the Pirates out-blocked Marshall 9.5-5.0.
East Carolina closes out its 12-match road trip to begin the season on Tuesday, traveling to Buies Creek for a showdown with Campbell. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
