East Carolina University
Rice
Pirates Close Weekend With 3-0 Loss At Rice
November 06, 2011 | Volleyball
Nov. 6, 2011
HOUSTON, Texas - East Carolina continued its struggles in league play, dropping a three-set decision to Rice Sunday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse. The Pirates fall to 2-22 overall and 0-15 in C-USA matches while the Owls rise to 15-11 and 10-5.
Sophomore Whitney Campbell capped off a fine individual weekend by tying her single-game career high of 12 kills. For the weekend, she racked up 18 kills on 40 attempts with just a single error - a .425 hitting mark. Senior Amanda Lutzow also paced the defense with 20 digs at the libero position.
Rice produced a solid offensive performance, downing 54 kills on 118 attempts with 10 errors - a .373 mark. The Owls also picked up 49 digs and seven blocks. East Carolina racked up 46 digs while recording 32 kills.
Rice took a 4-1 lead at the beginning of set one, but ECU scored two points in a row to make it a one-point deficit. The Owls took control from there, racing to a 15-5 lead which forced the Pirates to call two timeouts in the process. Rice would reach set point with a 24-9 advantage and take the frame by a 25-10 score.
The Owls established a 7-4 lead in the second set when Zarah Cecich was called for a bad set, but East Carolina rallied to tie the score at nine. Rice was able to stop the momentum, scoring four-straight points to draw a timeout from the Pirate bench. ECU pulled to within 14-12 on an Owl attack error, but a 4-1 run by the home side extended its advantage to 16-12. Rice cruised from there, taking the second interval 25-18.
With the score knotted at nine in the third set, the Owls took advantage of a couple East Carolina attack errors to move in front 12-9. The Pirates rallied to make it a 14-13 score, but Rice strung together three consecutive points to establish some breathing room. The Owls held ECU at bay over the final points, clinching the sweep 25-19.
East Carolina completes its last road swing of the season next weekend, traveling first to El Paso for a rematch with UTEP, who downed the Pirates 3-0 in Greenville earlier this season. First serve at Memorial Gymnasium is set for 9:00 p.m.
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