Pirates' Conference Win Streak Still Alive After Sweep at Charlotte

Wednesday, October 7

Charlotte, NC

6:00 P.M.

East Carolina University

12-5,5-0American

Charlotte

4-12,1-4American

Team	1	2	3	Final F
East Carolina	25	25	25	3
Charlotte	19	13	18	0

Pirates' Conference Win Streak Still Alive After Sweep at Charlotte

October 07, 2026 | Volleyball

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — East Carolina volleyball continued its historic start to American Conference play Wednesday night, sweeping Charlotte, 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-18), at Halton Arena.

The Pirates extended their winning streak to six consecutive matches while remaining undefeated in conference play. ECU's 5-0 start marks the longest conference-opening winning streak in program history. The Pirates also completed the season sweep of Charlotte after defeating the 49ers earlier this season.

ECU finished the night with 46 kills while hitting .382 as a team. The Pirates also held Charlotte to a .117 hitting percentage and recorded nine total blocks.

SET ONE: CHARLOTTE 19, EAST CAROLINA 25
The opening set featured an early back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to create much separation. The teams were tied at 12-12 before ECU began to establish control. Charlotte took a 13-12 lead, but the Pirates responded with three consecutive points to move ahead, 15-13.

The 49ers eventually pulled even at 15-15, but ECU answered again. A kill from Kai Bailey put the Pirates ahead 16-15 before a Charlotte attack error gave ECU a 17-16 advantage. From there, East Carolina continued to build its lead behind kills from Ellie Pate and Aulie Huff.

ECU pushed its advantage to 21-18 before closing the set with four straight points. Alderete capped the opening frame with a kill, giving the Pirates a 25-19 victory. ECU recorded 14 kills against just two errors and hit .387 in the set.

SET TWO: CHARLOTTE 13, EAST CAROLINA 25
The Pirates came out aggressively in the second set, scoring the first six points of the frame. ECU's early run included kills from Pate and Huff as well as a block from Pate and Ekwe Anwah.

Charlotte responded with a short run, but the Pirates quickly regained control. ECU maintained a comfortable advantage throughout the middle portion of the set, moving ahead 15-8 following a kill from Bailey.

The Pirates continued to pull away late. ECU scored five consecutive points to stretch its lead to 19-11, with Emma Ortiz contributing an ace during the run. Pate continued to provide a spark offensively, recording multiple kills down the stretch.

ECU closed the set on another strong run, scoring the final four points to take a commanding 25-13 victory and a 2-0 match lead. The Pirates hit an impressive .484 in the second set, recording 16 kills with just one attack error.

SET THREE: CHARLOTTE 18, EAST CAROLINA 25
Charlotte came out with a strong start in the third set, but ECU quickly answered. After the 49ers took an early 2-1 lead, the Pirates scored three straight points to move ahead 4-2.

The teams continued to trade points early, with Charlotte eventually tying the set at 11-11. ECU responded with a kill from Pate before Anwah and Alderete helped the Pirates regain momentum. A kill from Pate gave ECU a 15-12 lead, and the Pirates continued to extend their advantage.

ECU then took control with a four-point run, moving ahead 19-13. Charlotte attempted to close the gap, but the Pirates continued to answer each challenge. Huff added a service ace at 22-15, while Alderete followed with another kill to put ECU within two points of the match.

Pate delivered the final blow, recording a kill to give the Pirates a 25-18 victory and complete the three-set sweep. ECU finished the third set with 16 kills and hit .300.
Pate led all players with 16 kills, while Huff added 11 and Alderete contributed seven. Gilreath finished with 33 assists, while Ortiz recorded a team-high 15 digs.

The Pirates head back to Minges Coliseum on Sunday afternoon to see Florida Atlantic for the first time this season. The match on October 11 is set for 1:00 p.m. ET.