Pirates Host East Carolina Classic To Open 2012 Season
August 23, 2012 | Volleyball
Aug. 23, 2012
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GREENVILLE, N.C. --- The East Carolina volleyball team will open its 2012 season by hosting the East Carolina Classic inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Friday and Saturday. The Pirates will welcome Bethune-Cookman, Campbell and Charlotte for the two-day event.
ECU will open the tournament against Campbell on Friday at 7 p.m. before taking on Bethune-Cookman at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Pirates will close out the event against former and future Conference USA rival Charlotte at 7 p.m.
After taking a year off, ECU and Campbell will renew their 25-year old rivalry Friday. Two years ago, the Pirates lost to the Camels in a grueling five-set at the Wake Forest Black/Gold Challenge ending their five-match series winning streak. ECU holds a 33-7 advantage in the all-time series, including a 14-3 mark at home.
During Saturday's matinee, ECU will be facing Bethune-Cookman for just the third time in school history and first since 2003. The Wildcats finished 2011 season with a 13-19 overall record and were picked to finish third in their division in the MEAC preseason poll. Bethune-Cookman returns four lettermen, including three starters from last year's team, and welcomes 11 newcomers.
Charlotte is also coming off a 13-win season, finishing one game below .500 (13-14). Two years ago, Charlotte bested ECU in straight sets to open the 2010 East Carolina Classic. Saturday night's match will be the first meeting between the two since that night and just the third since the 49ers departed C-USA following the 2004 campaign. Charlotte returns four starters plus its libero from last season's team. ECU trails the all-time series 10-15.
Despite having a squad that doesn't have a lot of experience playing together, the Pirates do return some key players. Senior Kelly Derby and junior Hannah Allgood were the team's leading blockers last season, while sophomore Zarah Cecich ranked among the league's top setters. Derby finished 13th in the conference in blocks per set (0.95) as did Cecich in assists per set (5.31). Junior defensive specialist Shelby Beasley led the Pirates with 333 digs to rank 12th in C-USA (3.62 digs per game). Junior Whitney Campbell played in 96 of 98 sets, the most of any player on the team.
Also returning as a part of the junior class is Kasey Kavanaugh. Splitting duties between setter and outside hitter, Kavanaugh finished the 2011 season ranked second on the squad in assists (343) and assists per set (4.45) as well as tied for second in total blocks (47) and third in blocks per set (0.61). Junior Andrea Queck also returns to the setter position.
Among the newcomers are two transfers from other Division I institutions. Virginia Fitch (American) and Nicole Willis (LSU). Willis made 18 starts at right side hitter, averaging 1.74 kills, 0.54 blocks and 0.41 digs per set during her 101 frames of action, while helping the Tigers to an SEC Western Division title.
Freshmen twin sisters Kierra and Sierra Lee-Dunson along with fellow rookies Torre Blake, Erika Figueroa and Carleigh Green make up talented group that will be called upon to contribute as well as provide depth.
