Pirates Top UTSA in Three, Staying Undefeated in Conference Play

Sunday, October 4

Greenville, N.C.

1:00 P.M.

East Carolina University

11-5,4-0American

UTSA

10-5,1-3American

Team	1	2	3	Final F
UTSA	17	15	13	0
East Carolina	25	25	25	3

Pirates Top UTSA in Three, Staying Undefeated in Conference Play

October 04, 2026 | Volleyball

Box Score

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The East Carolina volleyball team swept UTSA, 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-13), Sunday afternoon at Williams Arena at Minges, continuing its historic start to American Conference play.

The Pirates improved to 11-5 overall and 4-0 in conference play, marking the best conference start in program history. ECU extended its league winning streak to four and is riding a five-game run.

East Carolina controlled the match from start to finish, hitting .420 as a team and holding UTSA to .145. The Pirates also recorded six total blocks and finished with 51 points, compared with 34 for the Roadrunners.

SET ONE: UTSA 17, EAST CAROLINA 25
The Pirates took control early in the opening set, building an 8-5 lead before UTSA cut the deficit to two at 9-7. ECU then answered with kills from Ellie Pate, Aulie Huff and Angeles Alderete to extend its lead.

Leading 12-10, ECU scored seven of the next eight points to open a 19-11 advantage. Bailey Kai and Huff sparked the run, while the Pirates' defense forced several UTSA errors.

ECU maintained its cushion down the stretch, with Kai delivering the set-clinching kill for a 25-17 win and a 1-0 lead.

The Pirates hit .267 in the opening frame while holding UTSA to .097. Alderete led ECU with three kills, while Pate added three and Kai contributed two.

SET TWO: UTSA 15, EAST CAROLINA 25
ECU carried its momentum into the second set, quickly jumping out to a 5-2 lead behind consecutive kills from Alderete.

The Pirates continued to apply pressure, using kills from Huff, Kai and Alderete along with strong defense to build a 12-3 advantage, with Jaci Hall at the line for the 7-0 run. UTSA tried to chip away, but ECU stayed in control throughout the frame.

UTSA later trimmed the margin to 20-13, but the Pirates closed the set on a 5-2 run.

Gilreath finished the frame with back-to-back kills, including the set-clinching point, as ECU took the second set, 25-15, and moved within one set of the sweep.

ECU dominated offensively in the second set, recording 15 kills while hitting an impressive .481. Gilreath led the way with three kills on a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage, while Alderete added four kills.

SET THREE: UTSA 13, EAST CAROLINA 25
The Pirates again found themselves in an early battle, tied 3-3 before ECU began to pull away.

A kill from Anwah and back-to-back kills from Kai helped ECU build a 7-4 advantage. The Pirates continued to capitalize on UTSA errors and keep their offensive rhythm, pushing the lead to 11-6.

ECU then erupted for a 7-1 run, highlighted by three consecutive kills from Kai, to take a 14-7 advantage. The Roadrunners responded, but the Pirates controlled the match on both sides of the net.

Huff and Kai combined for the final points, with Huff delivering the last kill to secure the 25-13 victory and complete the sweep.

The Pirates hit a set-high .542 in the final set, recording 14 kills with just one attack error. Kai led ECU with seven kills in the frame, while Anwah added three kills on three attempts.

Kai led the Pirates with 10 kills and a .588 hitting percentage, placing her in the top five in single-match conference records for hitting percentage. Huff recorded seven kills, four blocks and 11.0 points. Alderete added seven kills and hit .357, while Pate contributed seven kills and seven digs. Gilreath finished with four kills, 27 assists and four blocks.

The Pirates head to Charlotte on October 7 to see Charlotte for the second time this season. ECU will now have the chance to win both home and away matches against Charlotte in the 2026 season. The match is set for 6:00 p.. ET on Wednesday evening.