Tulsa
East Carolina
Volleyball Sweeps East Carolina, 3-0
10/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 3, 2009
Box Score |
Box Score 
TULSA, Okla. - The University of Tulsa volleyball team used its defense, which had nine blocks and 58 digs, and held Conference USA foe East Carolina to a negative hitting percentage to dispose of the Pirates, 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-15) Saturday evening at the Donald W. Reynolds Center.
The Golden Hurricane, which improves to 12-5 overall and 2-2 in C-USA, forced ECU (8-9, 1-4 C-USA) into more errors than it had kills and a -.036 attack percentage in the match. The Hurricane hit .162 in the match (37-20-105) with 35 assists, 58 digs and nine blocks.
"I think it was one of our finer performances at the service line, although we had seven service errors. Our kids served the ball tough and hit the zones we asked them to hit," Tulsa Head Coach Ed Allen said. "It was a better defensive effort, we got a few more blocks than we've been recording over the last couple of weeks. So we feel that we are improving a little bit defensively, and we've got to continue to grow there to go with a team that's pretty balanced offensively.
"I was a little disappointed with our offensive production. I think it was the lowest hitting percentage that we've recorded this year. I really felt that out ball control could have been cleaner, passing right at the net, giving all hitters all options. I think ultimately, our ability to attack and see the floor is getting better. We just need to continue to grow there and be more aggressive from an attacking perspective, and not soften so many balls up."
Junior Hannah Stout tallied five block assists, and seniors Jennifer Eichler and Julia Kenealy added four apiece. Freshman Tyler Henderson led TU's offensive effort with 13 kills, while freshman Jessica Adams led the way with 17 digs. Eichler and sophomore Kelsey Hancock has 12 and 11 digs, respectively. Sophomore Rachel Vukson recorded 19 assists and freshman Jordan Clampitt added 11 assists.
"We're really pleased the steady performances of two of our freshmen, Jessie Adams and Shelbi Pitcher," said Allen. "Both have performed very well, both defensively and at the service line for us. And have been relatively consistent ball control people for us. We're really pleased with their development and we need them to continue to grow as the season progresses there as well."
Tulsa dominated the first two sets, winning, 25-15 in the first, and 25-18 in the second. The Hurricane pulled away from a 6-6 tie with an 11-2 run. A block by Eichler and Stout sparked the run, and the two players paired for three blocks within four plays during that run that made the score, 17-8, TU, and allowed the home team to cruise to a set one win.
In the second frame, the Golden Hurricane jumped out to a 5-0 lead, and extended that to 9-2. East Carolina got within three points at 12-9, but would not get any closer. Tulsa scored six of the next nine points to pull out to an 18-12 lead, and went on to win the set, 25-18
Set three was much closer, and the two foes battled to a 9-9 tie at the start. Tulsa then scored five consecutive points, and seven of the next eight to take a 16-10 lead. The Hurricane extended its lead to seven at 21-14 before the Pirates used a mini run to pull to within three at 21-18. However, TU rolled off the final four points to take the set, 25-18.
The Golden Hurricane returns to the court next weekend when it travels to Houston to take on Rice on Friday at 7 p.m., and Houston Sunday at 1 p.m.
Admission to all TU home volleyball matches is free. For all Tulsa volleyball news and information, visit www.TulsaHurricane.com. Follow Tulsa Athletics on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TulsaHurricane. Become a fan of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane page on Facebook - search "Tulsa Golden Hurricane."
