ECU Falls Short Against Hampton

Friday, August 31

Cookeville, Tenn.

4:30 p.m.

East Carolina University

2-2

Hampton

2-4

ECU

Hampton

August 31, 2018 | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The ECU volleyball team dropped its first match of the Golden Eagle Invitational Friday afternoon, falling to Hampton 3-2 (25-27, 25-23, 18-25, 25-23, 9-15).

Hampton (2-4) out-hit ECU .208 to .171 and had the upper hand in kills (64-60) and blocks (9.0-7.0) while the Purple and Gold had a 90-81 edge in digs. Sophomore middle blocker Toya Osuegbu and freshman middle blocker S'mara Riley led the way offensively for ECU with 14 and 12 kills respectively. Sophomore setter Shelby Martin posted a double-double of 37 assists and 11 digs and freshman defensive specialist Alden Willis paced the back row with a career-best 26 digs. Additionally, Riley collected seven blocks.

Megann Delgado was the top offensive performer for Hampton with 21 kills and added 15 digs for a double-double while Lena Washington racked up a double-double of 13 kills and 22 digs.

ECU led the first set early 7-5 before Hampton put together a 9-0 run to seize control at 14-7. The Purple and Gold rallied all the way back to lead the frame 22-21 and later had set point at 25-24 but Hampton scored the final three points.

Hampton held the upper hand for most of the second stanza but again ECU was able to pull ahead late at 21-20. With the score knotted at 22, the Pirates notched three of the last four to tie the match at one set apiece.

Hampton raced out to a huge 13-5 advantage in the third, but the Pirates drew within 16-14 after a Martin ace. Hampton pulled away late to seize a 2-1 match lead.

It was ECU's turn for a fast start in the fourth as it built an 11-5 lead. Hampton was able to come back and tie the score at 16 before moving ahead 22-19 later in the frame. The Pirates dug down, however, and ripped off a 6-1 run to win the set – ending it with a block by Riley and sophomore outside hitter Sydney Kleinman.

The teams traded the first six points of the decider, but ECU would not be able to take the lead as Hampton won it by six to clinch the victory.

The Purple and Gold is back in action tomorrow with two matches. ECU will take on USC Upstate at 11 a.m. before matching up with host Tennessee Tech at 3 p.m.