Pirates Begin 2011 Against Gardner-Webb
August 26, 2011 | Volleyball
Aug. 26, 2011
| Match 1: Gardner-Webb | |
| Date | Friday, August 26 |
| Time | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| Location | Greenville, N.C. (Minges Coliseum) |
| General Information | Cost of Admission: $5 | Season Ticket Information | Pirate Pass |
| Friday's Promotion | Camper Reunion Day |
| Match Notes | East Carolina Match Notes  | Gardner-Webb Match Notes |
| 2010 Statistics | East Carolina | Gardner-Webb |
| Internet Coverage | Gametracker |  Watch Live! |
| Pirate Volleyball Central | Gameday Central | Roster | Conference USA Volleyball | NCAA Volleyball
|
"Like" ECU Volleyball on Facebook | Follow ECU Volleyball on Twitter
GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina looks to put the struggles of the 2010 campaign in the past as it opens the 2011 season Friday against Gardner-Webb. First serve at Minges Coliseum is set for 3 p.m.
The Pirates were slated to play three matches as part of the East Carolina Classic, but Florida Atlantic and Presbyterian canceled trips to Greenville on account of the threat of inclement weather from Hurricane Irene.
ECU enters the new year sporting a roster that features a nice mix of youth and experience. Seniors Nicole Jones, Amanda Lutzow, Britney Roper and Jackie Varnum will be counted on to provide increased leadership as over half the team is still made up of underclassmen. However, with a year of collegiate experience in tow, sophomores Hannah Allgood, Shelby Beasley, Whitney Campbell, Kasey Kavanaugh and Andrea Queck should feel a higher level of comfort on the floor. Add junior Kelly Derby as well as a new talent in freshman Zarah Cecich and the Pirates hope they have the right combination to improve on last season's results.
"Lutzow and Roper will really be players to watch offensively," third-year head coach Pati Rolf said. "I am also looking for one of our setters to emerge and grab the starting role. Both of them are very talented and the competition will be intense for that spot. No matter if it's Kasey or Zarah, our offense should be able to run much more smoothly.
"It's always exciting starting a new season. The difference in the energy level is really noticeable compared to last year at this time. With so many returners, I feel like everyone is on the same page from the beginning. That will certainly be a positive going forward."
Gardner-Webb is 5-7 in season opening matches since 2000 and will look to make it two season opening wins in a row having defeated North Carolina Central 3-0 last year.
IN SEASON OPENERS: East Carolina is looking for its first season-opening victory since downing East Tennessee State 3-0 in 2008. In the last 10 years, the Pirates have produced a 5-5 record when beginning the season. Overall, ECU owns a ledger of 16-21 in the first match of a campaign.
IT'S NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK: The Pirates have the luxury of returning nearly all of last season's roster. Marina Gusman-Brown was the lone senior on the 2010 team while would-be sophomore Amy Shelton is no longer part of the squad. Numerically, ECU returns 11 players who accounted for 97 percent of the team's kills, assists and digs as well as 99 percent of its total blocks.
SOME NEW BLOOD: Indiana native Zarah Cecich will join the program this season as the Pirates' only newcomer. The setter from Crown Point looks to add depth to the roster and compete for immediate playing time. Additionally, Jackie Simpson and Jeri Estes have accepted positions as assistant coaches. Simpson earned All-America accolades as a setter at Big Ten member Wisconsin while Estes has turned in a variety of elite coaching stints during his career - most notably with the Russian and American national teams.
SIZING UP GARDNER-WEBB: The Bulldogs are going through a coaching transition this season as Leo Sayles takes the reigns of the program. Gardner-Webb struggled last season, posting a 5-27 overall record and 0-16 mark in Big South play. The Pirates are 1-0 against the Bulldogs, winning a 3-0 decision in 2003.
ON A STREAK: Seniors Britney Roper and Jackie Varnum were the only Pirates to play in every set last season. If the two experience action in the first frame against Gardner-Webb, their streaks will extend to 110-straight sets.
UP NEXT FOR THE PIRATES: East Carolina takes to the road for the first time in 2011 next weekend, traveling to Charlottesville, Va. for the Holiday Inn Jefferson Cup. The Pirates will take on host Virginia, Long Island and 2010 national championship game participant California.
