East Carolina University
Charlotte
Pirates Drop Opener To Charlotte, 3-0
August 27, 2010 | Volleyball
Aug. 27, 2010
Watch Postgame Interviews Via All-Access
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Junior Amanda Lutzow put down 10 kills for the East Carolina volleyball team Friday night but Charlotte took a 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-22) victory in the season opener for both teams at Minges Coliseum.
The match was the second of the East Carolina Classic as Cleveland State downed Liberty in an entertaining 3-2 affair earlier in the day.
Five of the Pirates' eight newcomers experienced action in the contest as freshman Shelby Beasley picked up a squad-best 13 digs in her collegiate debut while fellow rookie Andrea Queck recorded 20 assists. Additionally, junior transfer Jackie Varnum racked up a team-high two block assists.
The 49ers had four athletes record seven kills while Sheri Davis dished out 31 assists. She also turned in a double-double for Charlotte, adding 12 digs.
The 49ers took an early 3-1 lead on an attack error by Kelly Derby but a Lutzow kill made the score 4-3. A 9-4 run put Charlotte in the lead at 13-7 before the Pirates responded and outscored the 49ers 7-2 to pull within 15-14. Four-straight Charlotte points forced a timeout from the ECU sideline as the Pirates failed to recover, dropping the frame by eight.
The visitors established a 7-1 advantage to begin the second interval. However, East Carolina scored nine of the next 15 points and induced a 49er timeout with the score settled at 13-10. The Pirates could only muster five more scores as Charlotte ended the set with a 12-5 run.
ECU took its first lead of the match when freshman Whitney Campbell put down a kill to begin the third frame. The 49ers scored 11 times over the next 16 rallies to assume an 11-6 lead and draw a timeout from the home bench. Down 19-13 near the end of the interval, the Pirates fought back and made the score 20-18 on an attack error by Bianca Rouse. However, Charlotte called timeout and outscored East Carolina 5-4 the rest of the way to clinch the match.
The 49ers enjoyed a 37-29 advantage in kills while also committing just 13 errors to hit .258 for the match. The Pirates did not hit as well, racking up 28 errors for a .009 mark. Charlotte also had the upper hand in digs (39-38) and blocking (6.0-3.0).
ECU returns to the Minges hardwood tomorrow as it closes out the tournament with matches against the Vikings and Lady Flames at 1 and 7 p.m., respectively. Additionally, the 49ers and Liberty will battle at 11 a.m. while Cleveland State takes on Charlotte at 5 p.m.
