Pirates Come Out Victorious in Tense Match Against Temple

Friday, October 10

Philadelphia, Pa.

12:00 p.m.

East Carolina University

Temple

Pirates Come Out Victorious in Tense Match Against Temple

October 10, 2025 | Volleyball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, P.A. — East Carolina volleyball fought through a gritty five-set battle Friday afternoon, earning a 3-2 road win over Temple (15-25, 25-12, 28-26, 22-25, 15-13) in McGonigle Hall. The victory marked ECU's second American Conference win of the season and showcased the Pirates' ability to navigate shifting momentum and come out victorious.

Sydney Buchanan powered the Pirates with a career-high 15 kills, while Carlia Northcross turned in a season-best 11 kills and led the team in hitting percentage across all five sets with a standout .733 efficiency. Aulie Huff added nine kills and hit .308, helping ECU total 55 kills on a .237 clip as a team.

Setter Taryn Gilreath directed the offense with 47 assists, while Elle Jackson anchored the defense with 11 digs. At the net, ECU recorded 10 total blocks, led by Northcross and Huff.

Set One – Temple 25, ECU 15
Temple jumped out to an early lead behind an efficient offensive rhythm, forcing ECU to play from behind for most of the opening set. Despite solid swings from Buchanan and Huff, the Pirates couldn't find their footing early and dropped the frame 25-15.

Set Two – ECU 25, Temple 12
The Pirates responded immediately in the second set with a dominant performance. ECU hit .357 in the frame while holding Temple to just .129. Northcross came alive at the net, connecting on multiple kills to spark an 8-1 run that gave ECU complete control. Gilreath's steady setting and the Pirates' aggressive serving helped even the match at one set apiece.

Set Three – ECU 28, Temple 26
The third set was a back-and-forth battle with 12 ties and six lead changes. ECU held off multiple Temple set points behind clutch kills from Buchanan and Huff. With the score tied late, Northcross delivered a decisive kill to give ECU the 28-26 win and a 2-1 match lead.

Set Four – Temple 25, ECU 22
Temple bounced back in the fourth to force a decisive fifth frame. The Pirates continued to swing well — hitting .265 as a team — but the Owls managed a late surge to take the set 25-22 despite strong efforts from Buchanan and Huff, who combined for seven kills in the frame.

Set Five – ECU 15, Temple 13
Northcross set the tone early with a pair of quick kills before Buchanan and Huff took control at the net. Gilreath kept the offense balanced, and the Pirates closed out the match 15-13 after a key block sealed the win. ECU hit .211 in the final frame and out-blocked Temple 2-1 down the stretch.

The Pirates make their way back home for Sunday's match against Florida Atlantic, who currently holds a spot towards the top of the conference with a 3-1 record. The match against FAU will be available on ESPN+ with game-time set for 12:00 p.m. ET.