East Carolina University
Virginia Tech
Pirates Dispatched By Hokies, 3-0
September 04, 2009 | Volleyball
Sept. 4, 2009
Virginia Tech 3, East Carolina 0
BLACKSBURG, Va. - The East Carolina volleyball team could not overcome host Virginia Tech in its first match of the VT Tournament, falling 3-0 Friday night at Cassell Coliseum. The Pirates drop to 1-3 on the season while the Hokies improve to 4-0.
ECU jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the first set, but Virginia Tech ripped off a 6-0 run to establish an 8-5 advantage of its own. The Pirates pulled within two at 13-11, but the Hokies pushed out to a 20-14 margin, forcing East Carolina's second timeout of the the frame. Despite the respite, the Pirates could not recover, dropping the set, 25-17.
Poor hitting plagued ECU, as it committed nine errors on 33 attempts with just eight kills. Virginia Tech also played well at the net, collecting five blocks to just one for the Pirates.
The second frame started out fairly evenly, with multiple ties, the last occurring at five. The Hokies took over from there, out-scoring East Carolina 11-4 to take a 16-9 advantage and forcing a Pirate timeout. Another short 4-1 run in Virginia Tech's favor extended the score to 20-10 as ECU called its second timeout. The Hokies would then score five of the next eight points to take the 25-13 victory.
As in the first interval, the Pirates hit a negative percentage, putting down six kills on 29 attempts but recording seven errors. Virginia Tech also notched four more blocks in the set.
East Carolina played even with the Hokies in the third set, but Virginia Tech broke a 9-9 tie with a 7-1 run that put it comfortably ahead, 16-10. However, the Pirates had one push left, out-scoring the Hokies 7-4 to pull within 20-17 and force a Virginia Tech timeout. ECU got as close as 22-20, but the Hokies put the contest away by scoring three of the last five points for a 25-22 set win.
The Pirates hit much better in the last frame, recording 14 kills on 37 attempts with eight errors.
Senior Stephanie Turner tallied 11 kills and continued her double-digit kill streak, having accomplished the feat in all four matches this season. Turner's classmate Katie Prast led East Carolina defensively, picking up five digs, while redshirt freshman Kelly Derby maintained her team blocking lead, contributing two block assists.
Virginia Tech enjoyed an effective offensive night, out-hitting the Pirates .265-.049, while also notching more digs (37-25) and exerting its dominance at the net (14.0-3.0 in blocking).
ECU continues its participation at the VT Tournament tomorrow at Cassell Coliseum, squaring off against SEC foe Arkansas at 10 a.m. before returning to court at 4 p.m. for a meeting with Norfolk State.
