East Carolina University
11-14,3-11American
Tulsa
20-6,10-4American
Pirates Lose to Tulsa in Three Close Sets
November 09, 2025 | Volleyball
TULSA, O.K. – East Carolina wrapped up its weekend road trip on Sunday afternoon, dropping a straight-set match (19-25, 23-25, 21-25) to Tulsa at the Donald W. Reynolds Center.Â
Set One: Tulsa 25, East Carolina 19Â
Tulsa opened strong behind a serving run that built a 9-3 lead early in the first set. ECU responded with energy, stringing together several points from blocks by Kai Bailey and Aulie Huff to narrow the gap. Violet Hakan added a pair of service aces to help the Pirates close within 21-18, but the Golden Hurricane's attack regained momentum to close out the set, 25-19.Â
Set Two: Tulsa 25, East Carolina 23Â
East Carolina came out sharp in the second, taking an early 11-6 advantage behind kills from Huff and Ekwe Anwah, along with steady setting from Taryn Gilreath. Tulsa answered midway through the frame, using a 6-1 run to pull even at 22-22. Despite late efforts from Carlia Northcross and Hakan at the net, the Golden Hurricane managed to edge out the set 25-23, taking a 2-0 match lead.Â
Set Three: Tulsa 25, East Carolina 21Â
ECU traded points throughout, highlighted by a balanced attack from Huff, Anwah, and Hakan. The Pirates pulled within 24-21 following back-to-back service aces from Allison Butrum, but Tulsa managed to convert on its third set point to seal the match, 25-21.Â
Huff finished with nine kills and a pair of blocks, while Bailey tallied four kills and teamed up for multiple key blocks at the net. Gilreath paced the offense with 17 assists, while Elle Jackson and Butrum recorded 10 digs to lead the back row.Â
The Pirates (11-14, 3-11 American) return home next week to host the last two games of the regular season against UAB and Memphis.
