East Carolina University
4-0
Hampton University
0-5
ECU Improves to 4-0 with Sweep Over Hampton
September 05, 2015 | Volleyball
DAVIDSON, N.C. - The East Carolina volleyball team improved to 4-0 on the year after the Pirates defeated Hampton in straight sets at the Davidson Tournament Saturday morning. ECU's defense held the Hampton Lady Pirates (0-5) to just .061 hitting, while the Pirates of ECU turned in a .219 attack percentage.
"I felt like we did a good job serving and passing as well as being scrappy on defense," Head coach Julie Torbett stated. "We have some things we need to correct before we begin conference play. We haven't explored all of our options.
"I'm very happy to be undefeated at this point," Torbett continued. "We made some improvements from last night and that's what it's all about - getting better every day."
The Pirates of ECU played a consistent game once again as the offense relied on teamwork to combine for 35 kills. Sophomore middle hitter Natalie Montini turned in a team-high eight kills, while Ashton Mares, Ashley McRae and Kierra Lee-Dunson each contributed seven kills. Sabrina Gonzalez, a junior setter, turned in another successful performance as she dished out 25 assists, while adding four kills, three digs and two service aces.
Defensive specialists Erika Figueroa and Alex Jessett set the tone for East Carolina in the back row as the duo combined for 23 digs. Figueroa contributed 12 digs, while Jessett notched a career-high 11 digs in the match. They also received some help from Mares who added nine digs in the contest.
ECU finished the match with 10 service aces and was led by senior libero Lauren Bewick's career-best four-ace effort. Gonzalez, Figueroa and Megan Williams each added a pair of service aces for the Pirates.
East Carolina was on point in the first two sets as the Pirates knocked down 12 kills in the first game and 15 in the second. ECU broke a 7-7 tie in the first set and never looked back as the Pirates jumped out in front and won the set by a score of 25-15.
In the second set, the Pirates of ECU never trailed as they took a quick 6-0 advantage to start the game. From there, East Carolina increased its lead to nine (10-1) and blew past the Hampton Pirates, 25-13.
The third frame started much like the second as East Carolina took an early 5-0 advantage. However, Hampton fought back and eventually took an 11-10 lead, the Lady Pirates' first lead since the first set. Hampton took a five-point lead (15-10) and forced ECU to call for a timeout. The ensuing points were back-and-forth as the two teams played through a close set. East Carolina, though, came out victorious as the Pirates of ECU knocked down seven straight points en route to winning the set and match, 25-21.
East Carolina closes out the Davidson Tournament Saturday evening at 6 p.m. against the host Wildcats. Live stats will be available on ECUPirates.com.
