ECU Returns Home To Face Houston And Tulane

Matches 15-16: Houston and Tulane
Coverage	Sept. 30 \\\ vs. Houston \\\ 6:00 p.m. \\\ Live Stats \\\ Watch Oct. 1 \\\ vs. Tulane \\\ Noon \\\ Live Stats \\\ Watch
Venues	Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum (Greenville, N.C.)
Social Media	Twitter \\\ Instagram \\\ #ECUVB #NoQuarter

GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina takes the floor inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum for the first time since August, hosting Houston and Tulane for a pair of American Athletic Conference matches.

The Pirates battle the Cougars Friday at 6 p.m. before taking on the Green Wave Sunday at Noon. Both contests will stream live via ESPN+.

ECU headed west last weekend in search of a positive start to league play, but fell just short at Tulsa in a five-set decision before seeing Wichita State grab a 3-0 victory two days later. The Pirates dropped to 0-14 all time in Tulsa with the narrow setback. During the Wichita State match, Julianna Askew surpassed 3,000 assists.

Currently, East Carolina ranks third in the conference in blocks per set (2.28) and fourth in service aces per set (1.49). On an individual basis, Angeles Alderete is third in points per set (4.31) and fifth in kills per set (3.85) while Kianie Cummings has risen to first in blocks per set (1.30), Payton Evenstad slots second in aces per set (0.40) and Kenzie Beckham sits fifth in digs per set (3.64). Alderete has produced double-digit kills in all but two contests this season.

ECU hosted the Pirate Invitational during opening weekend, defeating Furman and Norfolk State while falling to Towson.

About Houston
Houston is off to a great start this season, heading to Greenville with an 11-2 overall record and 2-0 American Athletic Conference mark. The Cougars are also receiving Top 25 votes. Last week, Houston visited Tulane and came away with a five-set victory before defeating Cincinnati in four sets back at home. Kate Georgiades was named AAC Defensive Player of the Week after recording 54 digs and 43 receptions. She recorded a season-high 33 digs against Tulane and a career-best six service aces against Cincinnati. Isabel Theut was named to the AAC Honor Roll after recording 37 kills, a .378 hitting percentage and six blocks. The Cougars currently rank second in the league in hitting percentage (.240) as well as third in both kills per set (13.31) and assists per set (12.31).

The Houston Series
Houston leads the series with East Carolina by an 18-9 margin. The teams split a pair of matches a season ago as the Pirates knocked off the Cougars in five sets in Greenville before Houston responded in kind with a three-set victory on its home floor. ECU has won six of the last eight encounters with the Cougars.

A Look At Tulane
Tulane emerged from the first weekend of AAC play with a 5-8 overall record and 0-2 league mark. In addition to its five-set loss to Houston, the Green Wave also fell to Cincinnati, 3-1. Tulane's balanced offensive attack features four hitters that have tallied at least 124 kills, led by Mackenzie Martin's 2.84 per set average. Kate Van Houten has served as the main setter for the Green Wave, checking in at 8.59 assists per set, while Jillian Dits has posted a squad-best 171 digs (3.42 per set). Tulane does not have a player currently averaging more than one block per set. The Green Wave are second in the conference in aces per set (1.55) and fourth in hitting percentage (.222).

The Tulane Series
East Carolina trails the series with Tulane 22-6 and has dropped five of the last six meetings, including both matchups last season. The Pirates captured the lone affair in 2019, winning 3-2 in New Orleans.

Up Next
East Carolina travels to Philadelphia Oct. 5th for a league match at Temple.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Angeles Alderete

Julianna Askew

Kenzie Beckham

Kianie Cummings

Payton Evenstad

Footer