East Carolina University
4-1
Davidson
3-3
East Carolina Volleyball Comes up Short at Davidson
September 05, 2015 | Volleyball
DAVIDSON, N.C. - Junior Ashley McRae and senior Kierra Lee-Dunson were named to the All-Tournament Team after turning in solid performances all weekend at the Davidson Tournament. However, East Carolina's (4-1) rally in the final match of the tournament was cut short as the Pirates dropped a 3-2 decision to Davidson (3-3).
"I am so proud of the way the team fought back after we dug ourselves in a 2-0 hole," Head coach Julie Torbett said. "Most of our struggles came from out of system errors. In system, we were unstoppable. Kierra and Ashley were pounding balls. We went with freshman Haley Bidgood on the right side, and for a freshman that hasn't been on the court that much this season, she did a great job."
McRae finished the contest with a career-high 17 kills to go along with a .516 attack percentage. The middle hitter also added three total blocks and a dig for the Pirates. In addition to her offensive output, Ashton Mares added 15 kills of her own, while freshman Haley Bidgood notched her first career double-digit kill effort with 12. Lee-Dunson's 10 kills rounded out the Pirate double-figure scorers in the match.
Sabrina Gonzalez recorded her first double-double in purple and gold as she dished out career-best 57 assists and 13 digs. She also added four kills and two blocks while hitting a team-best .571.
"Sabrina is learning her hitters," Torbett said of her setter. "She did a good job today."
On defense, senior libero Erika Figueroa led the Pirates once again in the back row. Figueroa notched 27 digs to lead the squad and also received some help from sophomore defensive specialist Alex Jessett who added 15 digs of her own.
Despite dropping the first two sets to Davidson on its home court, the Pirates refused to quit as they came back and claimed the third set 25-19. ECU would not go quietly as it opened the frame and took a 3-0 lead. The Wildcats fought back and the two teams traded leads a few times before East Carolina took the lead for good on a kill off the hands of Natalie Montini. ECU forced Davidson into utilizing both timeouts before the Pirates closed the set.
East Carolina brought its momentum from the third set into the fourth game as the Pirates, again, took an early lead (8-4) that they would never relinquish. The Pirates hit .424 in the frame while knocking down 19 kills. Davidson kept the set close, but was unable to close the gap as ECU went on to win the set, 25-21, and force a fifth and final set.
McRae wasted no time getting the Pirates on the board in the fifth set as she gave ECU a quick 1-0 lead. It was short-lived, however, as the two squads battled each other point for point and fought through five ties and three lead changes before the Wildcats took a 9-8 edge. East Carolina stayed within striking distance, but Davidson came away with the 15-12 win.
"We got a lot better this weekend," Torbett said, "We are very excited to be playing at home next week."
ECU hosts the East Carolina Invitational at Williams Arena inside Minges Coliseum Friday, Sept. 11 - Saturday, Sept. 12. The Pirates open the tournament at 5 p.m. on Friday against Hampton, before taking on Western Carolina and William & Mary Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively. Live stats and video will be available on ECUPirates.com.
