East Carolina University
9-7, 2-3American
Tulane
7-11, 1-5American
Pirates Hang On To Defeat Tulane In Five
October 09, 2015 | Volleyball
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- East Carolina escaped with a hard fought 3-2 win over visiting Tulane Friday in its first American Athletic Conference home match of the season for its third win over the Green Wave in the last five meetings.
The Pirates (9-7, 2-3) easily won the first two games (25-21, 25-19) and looked like they would make quick work of the Green Wave, but Tulane (7-11, 1-5) rallied to force a deciding fifth game. ECU led the third game 24-22, but was unable to finish off its rival as the Green Wave took the game 28-26 and then claimed game four 25-20.
With the deciding game tied at 9-all, the Pirates scored six of the last seven points to post a 15-10 win and earn its second league victory of the year. Kaitlyn Branam served four straight points for a 14-10 lead before Ashton Mares sealed the win with a kill.
"We had really strong play at the end from Ashley McRae to put the match away and I thought Natalie Montini played a really good match as well," Pirate head coach Julie Torbett said. "Our middles have been our bread and butter all season. When you've got strong middles and everyone crowds in on them, then you've got to kick to the outside, so Natalie and Ashton (Mares) had a lot of attempts. I thought it was good, strong hitting from Tulane and that we played well defensively."
Mares led the way for ECU with a match-high 17 kills and added 12 digs for a double-double. Kierra Lee-Dunson had 15 kills in the victory, while McRae added 14 and Montini had 13. Setter Sabrina Gonzalez posted 51 assists and a team-high 14 digs. Lauren Bewick also had 12 digs and libero Erika Figueroa added 11.
ECU continues conference play Sunday, Oct. 11, as it host Houston inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum at 1 p.m.
