East Carolina University
12-14,4-11American
UAB
12-15,5-10American
Pirates Push Through Five to Win Over UAB
November 14, 2025 | Volleyball
GREENVILLE, N.C. — East Carolina outlasted UAB in a five-set battle (25–21, 19–25, 22–25, 25–17, 15–10) Friday afternoon at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum, pushing its record to 11–14 overall and 4–11 in American Conference play. Aulie Huff led ECU with 20 kills while hitting .625, and Kai Bailey added 19 kills at a .333 clip, helping the Pirates take control late.
Set One – ECU 25, UAB 21Â
ECU opened the match with a steady offensive rhythm, building late momentum to secure the opening frame. Carlia Northcross and Aulie Huff powered the Pirates at the net, while Kai Bailey added multiple transition kills to keep the offense balanced. With strong side-out efficiency and a composed defensive effort, ECU closed the set behind a Northcross kill to take the early 1–0 advantage.Â
Set Two – UAB 25, ECU 19Â
UAB flipped the momentum in the second set, capitalizing on a mid-set scoring run to pull away. Despite a hot start that included an ace from Taryn Gilreath and a string of kills from Huff, ECU struggled to slow UAB's offense as the Blazers found success in system and in transition. Huff continued to shine with multiple kills, including a stretch that tied the set at 17–17, but UAB responded with an 8–2 closing run to even the match at one set apiece.Â
Set Three – UAB 25, ECU 22Â
The Blazers carried their momentum into the third, jumping out to an early 12–3 lead with a strong service run and aggressive attacking. ECU refused to fold, piecing together an impressive comeback attempt fueled by kills from Bailey, Hakan, and Northcross. A late surge brought the Pirates within one at 21–20, but UAB held firm in the final points to take the 2–1 match lead.Â
Set Four – ECU 25, UAB 17Â
The Pirates responded with their best set of the day, delivering a dominant all-around performance. Kathryn Schuele jump-started a massive 11–4 run with a serving burst and back-to-back assists to Bailey, who took over offensively with timely kills. ECU's block—led by Anwah, Huff, Northcross, and Bailey—controlled the net, and the Pirates hit .391 in the frame while holding UAB to negative efficiency. The decisive response forced a fifth set and restored ECU's momentum.Â
Set Five – ECU 15, UAB 10Â
ECU carried its energy into the final set, seizing control early with kills from Huff, Bailey, and Ekwe Anwah. Gilreath's consistent setting helped the Pirates stay in system, while the defense forced UAB into tough swings. A pair of late kills from Bailey pushed the lead to 13–7, and the Pirates closed out the match 15–10 to secure the five-set victory.Â
ECU now sets its sights on the last game of the season on Sunday. The Pirates will host Memphis for one last time for the season in Minges Coliseum on November 16.
