Gameday: Pirates Host AAC Foes SMU And Memphis

Matches 22-23: SMU and Memphis
The Matches	Oct. 25 vs. SMU \\\ 7:00 p.m. \\\ Live Stats \\\ Watch (Free) Oct. 27 vs. Memphis \\\ Noon \\\ Live Stats \\\ Watch (Free)
Venue	Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum (Greenville, N.C.)
Information	2019 Fact Book \\\ 2019 Prospectus
Social Media	@ECUVB (Twitter) \\\ Instagram \\\ Facebook \\\ #GoPirates

Weekly Release No. 10

GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina begins the second half of its American Conference schedule with two home matches, hosting SMU Friday and Memphis Sunday. Not only is it Homecoming on the ECU campus, but also Alumni Weekend for the program as the team will recognize past players on the court at the intermission of Friday's contest.

Christine Belgado Smith – 1989-90
Whitney Campbell – 2010-13
Sydney Darden – 2014-16
Virginia Fitch – 2012-13
Alex Johnson – 2014-15
LaKeya Mason – 1997
Shannon McKay Williams – 1989-91
LuCinda Mason McMillan – 1997-2000
Windy Mizlo – 1989-92
Trish Monroe Thorp – 2005-08
Natalie Montini – 2014-17
Wendy Schultz Alexander – 1989-92
Rosie Thompson – 1975-80 (Volleyball and Women's Basketball)
Kristen Warner Evans – 1995-97
Kelley Wernert Kraniak – 2004-07
Leigh Wilcox Kinnel – 1989-92
Megan Williams – 2014-17
Nicole Willis – 2012-13

The Pirates split a pair of five-set contests on the road last weekend, falling to then AAC unbeaten Houston in five sets Friday before rallying from a 2-0 deficit to knock off Tulane 3-2 Sunday. In an odd scheduling quirk, ECU played six of its first eight AAC matches away from home.

Junior Sydney Kleinman, who posted 20 kills in the victory over the Green Wave, is averaging a team-best 3.58 kills per set (261 total) while classmate Bri Wood is close behind with 252 kills (3.11 per set) and a .289 hitting percentage. Defensively, redshirt junior Brandee Markwith is putting up 4.47 digs per set (362 total) and senior Toya Osuegbu, who passed 300 blocks for her career last weekend, checks in with 72 total blocks (0.91 per set).

As a team, East Carolina is averaging 13.11 kills, 12.02 assists, 1.32 aces, 15.38 digs and 1.93 blocks per set with a .245 attacking percentage.

Career Milestone Watch
Brandee Markwith – 1,426 digs (2nd in program history)
Shelby Martin – 2,443 assists (4th in program history)
Toya Osuegbu – 306 total blocks (9th in program history)

The Book On SMU
SMU enters Friday's match in second place in the AAC West Division standings with a 6-2 league record and 13-5 overall mark. The Mustangs picked up a pair of 3-0 victories over Temple and Connecticut at home last weekend. Hannah Jacobs has been the top offensive performer for SMU statistically, leading the squad in total kills (225) and kills per set (3.41). Lily Heim ranks among the nation's leaders in assists per set, checking in at 11.51 in the Mustangs' 5-1 offense. In the back row, Montana Watts is averaging a team-high 4.45 digs per set (298 total). Collectively, SMU is putting up 14.18 kills, 13.34 assists, 1.18 aces, 16.55 digs and 2.05 blocks per set with a .271 attacking percentage.

A Look At Memphis
After starting conference play with six-straight losses, Memphis defeated Connecticut and Temple at home last weekend to improve to 13-7 overall and 2-6 in league matches. Hannah Flowers paces the Tiger offensive efforts with 253 kills (3.47 per set) while Meredith Wallace is close behind with 216 kills (3.18 per set). Sabrina Bianco has shouldered the setting duties and enters Memphis' match at Cincinnati with 800 assists (10.39 per set). Defensively, Kaitlyn Gehler leads the way with 293 digs (3.96 per set). As a team, the Tigers average 12.78 kills, 11.91 assists, 1.56 aces, 14.68 digs and 1.72 blocks per set and are hitting .210.

The SMU Series
SMU leads the series with East Carolina 14-5. The Pirates defeated the Mustangs in four sets last season in Greenville to snap a 13-match skid and collect their first win over SMU since 2008.

The Memphis Series
ECU is 9-21 against Memphis but has won six of the 10 meetings with the Tigers since joining the American Athletic Conference prior to the 2014 campaign.

Up Next
East Carolina plays its final non-conference match of the season Tuesday, Sept. 29, at N.C. Central. First serve is set for 6 p.m.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Sydney Kleinman

Brandee Markwith

Shelby Martin

Natalie Montini

Toya Osuegbu

Megan Williams

Bri Wood

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