WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - East Tennessee State University's volleyball team picked up its first win of the season with a 3-2 decision against East Carolina as part of the DEACTOWN Invitational at Reynolds Gym.
East Tennessee State (1-6) quickly took control of the first set, taking a 15-7 lead at the set break. A 3-0 run by the Buccaneers, including a kill from Gianna Blair and a kill and an ace by Elizabeth Aylward, allowed them to lead by as many as nine at 18-9. A quick run by East Carolina (5-4) cut their deficit to 21-15, but the Bucs closed out the first set with kills by Phoenix Fogel and Aylward to take the 25-18 first-set win.
East Carolina battled back in the second set, taking a 15-7 lead at the second-set break. A kill by Makayla Bays allowed ETSU to get back within six at 16-10, but the Pirates ended the set on a 4-0 run to take the 25-12 second set win.
The two teams battled back and forth to begin the third frame, seeing six ties. A 6-1 run by the Pirates allowed them to pull away from the Bucs with a 12-7 lead to force an ETSU timeout. Consecutive kills from Chloe Smith paired with ECU service errors got the Bucs back within four at 20-16, but the Pirates ended the set with kills by Angeles Alderete and Kai Bailey ended the third frame with the Pirates taking the 25-19 win.
The Buccaneers fought back in the fourth, as a block by Smith and Blair gave them an 18-8 lead to force an ECU timeout. The Bucs remained in control for the rest of the set as a kill by Sophie Davis gave them a 24-13 lead, and a kill by Karis Chatfield ended the set with the Bucs taking the 25-14 fourth-set win.
ETSU carried its momentum from the fourth frame to the fifth, leading 10-5 to force a Pirates' timeout. A kill from Bays and an ECU attack error gave the Bucs a 12-5 lead. The Pirates would get as close as 14-9, but a kill by Chatfield assisted by Gohlke gave the Bucs the 15-9 fifth-set win.
The Bucs continue their stay in Winston-Salem with a 2 p.m. Sunday match against Wake Forrest.
MATCH POINTS
