East Carolina University
DePaul
East Carolina Downs DePaul, 3-1
September 20, 2014 | Volleyball
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - The East Carolina volleyball team collected its sixth win in seven matches after earning a four-set win over DePaul [25-20, 23-25, 25-17, 25-23] at the Penn State Alumni Classic. The Pirates are now 6-1 on the year, while the Blue Demons fall to 2-10.
The Pirates were led by a career-best performance from Ashley McRae and a pair of double-doubles from Sydney Darden and Ashton Mares. McRae knocked down 15 kills on 22 attempts to hit a match-high .545. The sophomore middle blocker also added seven total blocks for a total of 19.0 points.
"Ashley played phenomenally," Head Coach Julie Torbett said. "Our middles have really come through for us. Ashley did a great job on the blocking too. She played big today. She's a small feisty, little player and that's what I like. She did really well for us."
Darden earned her sixth double-double in seven matches after turning in a match-leading 16 kills and as many digs. The sophomore outside hitter was solid for the Pirates as she added a pair of solo blocks and an assist.
"I thought Sydney played really well," Torbett said. "She's definitely fiery. She's aware of what's going on out on the court and that's good to see. She did a good job of limiting her errors today."
Mares finished the contest with 10 kills and as many digs, while adding two block assists, a pair of service aces and two assists. Setters Zarah Cecich and Bella Borgiotti combined for 38 assists as Cecich posted 24 and Borgiotti recorded 14.
The Pirates finished the match hitting .204 with 55 kills, while the Blue Demons were limited to .101 hitting and 44 kills. ECU held the edge on digs, 56-43, and assists, 44-32. The Pirates were solid at the net as they put up 12.0 team blocks to DePaul's 4.0.
East Carolina struck first as they started the match on a 5-0 run. The Pirates hit .182 in the first set and did a good job of pacing the offensive attack. Despite DePaul's efforts, ECU held the Blue Demons at bay as the Pirates won the set by a score of 25-20.
The Blue Demons came out swinging in the second set and took an early 11-6 lead over the Pirates. East Carolina fought back and tied the game at 19 after knocking down three straight points. However, DePaul jumped back out in front, 22-20 and went on to win the set 25-23.
With the match even at one set apiece, East Carolina opened the third set on a 5-1 run forcing DePaul to use a timeout. The Pirates broke the set open after going on a 6-0 run to take a 10-point advantage (19-9). ECU hit .241 in the frame and forced the Blue Demons into a negative attack percentage as the Pirates claimed the third set. 25-17.
Up two sets to one, the Pirates were determined to win the match as they took a quick 6-3 lead. However, the Blue Demons would not go quietly as they battled back to tie the game at 6-all. Although ECU regained the lead, DePaul would not go away and pulled within one (14-13).
Once again, East Carolina used a 6-1 run to extend its lead back to six (20-14). The Pirates pushed the set to match-point at 24-17, but DePaul rallied yet again cutting the Pirates' lead to one (24-23) forcing ECU to call a timeout. The Pirates regrouped and came back after the break in action to win the contest, 25-23.
East Carolina will conclude the Penn State Alumni Classic when the Pirates take on the No. 3 Nittany Lions at 8 p.m. Live stats and video will be available on GoPSUSports.com.
