GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina started its 2022 season Friday with a 3-1 victory over Furman and a 3-0 loss by the hands of Towson inside Williams Enviornment at Minges Coliseum on day one of many Pirate Invitational.
ECU faces off with Norfolk State Saturday at 4 p.m. to shut event play. The Spartans fell to each the Tigers and Paladins earlier Friday.
The Pirates featured a completely new beginning lineup that included three transfers and a trio of freshmen. Rookie exterior hitter Angeles Alderete definitely introduced her presence with authority, garnering a team-best 27 kills and a .344 hitting proportion over the seven units. Sophomore returner Kenzie Beckham, who performed as a setter final season, donned the libero jersey for the primary time and picked up 28 digs (4.00 per set) within the two contests.
Match One: East Carolina 3, Furman 1
The Pirates brushed apart a first-set loss to deal with Furman 24-26, 25-16, 25-16, 25-23.
Alderete positioned all scorers with 16 kills, three aces and a .300 hitting proportion whereas additionally choosing up 12 digs to put up her first collegiate double-double. Redshirt freshman exterior Izzy Marinelli additionally produced a pleasant first collegiate match to the tune of 13 kills and a .379 hitting proportion. Junior setter Julianna Askew snagged her first double-double within the Purple and Gold, tallying a match-high 23 assists and 10 digs. Beckham smashed her career-best dig complete, recording 22 within the victory. Lauren Haynes paced the Paladins with 11 kills and 13 digs.
ECU fired at a .193 clip total, notching 52 kills on 145 makes an attempt with 24 errors, whereas limiting Furman to .088 effectivity on 36 kills. The Pirates additionally held the higher hand in complete digs (70-57) and complete blocks (9.0-6.0) in addition to service aces (12-6).
East Carolina jumped out to a 9-6 benefit within the opening body due to a kill by senior center blocker Shaylynn Corridor, however the Paladins saved it shut, finally knotting the rating at 16. The Pirates would rally to seize a 22-21 edge late within the set, however Furman scored 5 of the final seven factors to sneak away with the win.
After ECU dominated the center two stanzas, it bought off to an awesome begin within the fourth as a tandem block by Marinelli and freshman center blocker Alyssa Finister left the Pirates in entrance by a 16-11 margin. Main 20-14 following a kill by junior exterior hitter Brittany Wooden, East Carolina allowed the Paladins to attract inside 24-23 earlier than a Furman attacking error lastly ended issues.
Match Two: Towson 3, East Carolina 0
The Tigers broke open three shut units within the latter half every time to seize the sweep within the nightcap.
Towson’s offensive prowess proved the distinction because the guests fired at a .329 clip on the again of 43 kills in 85 swings whereas the Pirates had been solely capable of handle a .145 displaying. The squads ended up just about even in complete digs and repair aces because the Tigers collected 23 digs to ECU’s 22 and the groups each completed with 5 aces.
Victoria Barrett and Fay Bakodimou led Towson with 10 kills apiece. Sarah Jordan added a contest-best 9 digs to associate with 20 assists.
Alderete put collectively one other high-quality effort within the setback, incomes match-high honors with 11 kills and a .429 hitting proportion.
The Tigers had been capable of win the primary two units in semi-comfortable style, however the third body was an all-out battle. With renewed power out of the intermission, East Carolina raced out to a 7-3 lead. Nonetheless, Towson rallied to tie issues at 12 when Askew was known as for a ball-handling error. The Pirates loved their last benefit of the night at 21-20 when senior exterior hitter Kellyn Trowse mustered a kill, however the Tigers had the ultimate phrase and netted 5 of the ultimate seven factors.
Day One Pirate Invitational Scores
Towson 3, Norfolk State 0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-13)
East Carolina 3, Furman 1 (24-26, 25-16, 25-16, 25-23)
Furman 3, Norfolk State 1 (25-23, 25-16, 14-25, 25-16)
Towson 3, East Carolina 0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-23)
