Sept. 14, 2011

Match 8: at Marshall
Date	Friday, September 16
Time	7:00 p.m.
Location	Huntington, W.Va. (Cam Henderson Center)
Match Notes	East Carolina Match Notes
Statistics	East Carolina Statistics | Marshall Season Statistics
Internet Coverage	Thunder Invitational Tournament Central Page | Live Chat
Pirate Volleyball Central	Gameday Central | Roster | Conference USA Volleyball | NCAA Volleyball

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - East Carolina officially begins its 11th season as a volleyball member of Conference USA Friday, traveling to the Cam Henderson Center for a league matchup against Marshall. First serve is set for 7 p.m.

If the Pirates (2-5) are able to down the Herd Friday, they would surpass their 2010 season output for victories as well as open league play with a win for the first time since defeating the Herd 3-1 in the 2008 season. ECU split its matches with Marshall last season but trails the all-time series 11-2.

The Herd opens its home schedule this weekend and has produced a 1-7 season record thus far. In traveling to the Ohio Baymont Invitational last weekend, Marshall dropped consecutive 3-0 decisions to Virginia, Louisville and the host Bobcats. Senior Cameron Yoho finished the tournament with the most kills (29) and was closely followed by junior Abby Tomas with 27. Yoho also led in service aces (3) and finished with 21 digs. Rookie Sammie Bane continued to lead the Herd in assists, recording 68 during the weekend. Sophomore Laura Der paced the defense with 25 digs while classmate Desirre Wilkerson finished with a team-leading 5.5 blocks.

East Carolina will also face Central Michigan and former CAA foe George Mason Saturday to wrap up nonconference action.

The Chippewas won two of three matches at the Butler Tournament last weekend, downing Austin Peay and Butler before falling to Elon. Kaitlyn McIntyre finished the tournament with 35 kills averaging 3.18 kills per set while Jocelyn VerVelde ended the weekend hitting .462 with 14 kills. Danielle Gotham put down 26 total kills and held the net as she blocked a total of 15 balls. Both Lindsey Dulude and Jenna Coates were named to the All-Tournament team. Coates finished the weekend with 61 total digs, averaging 5.55 per set, while Dulude posted 26 kills - hitting at .261. CMU finished the weekend out-hitting their opponents .210 to .166. It also out-blocked its opposition 42 to 24.

Meanwhile, the Patriots enter the Thunder Invitational with a 3-5 record, most recently dropping a four-set match to Appalachian State at the Morehead State Invitational. Senior Noelle Fanella was selected to the All-Tournament Team after accumulating 26 kills. Fanella and sophomore Lana Zonjic led the Mason attack with 12 and 11 kills, respectively, while senior Kelly McCarter posted 14 digs. Zonjic also served three aces - a match-high.

THE SERIES: MARSHALL
Friday marks the 14th meeting between East Carolina and Marshall. The Herd own an 11-2 advantage in the series but ECU grabbed a five-set win last year to break a four-match losing streak to Marshall. The Pirates have never won in Huntington, falling in three sets in last year's season finale.

CONFERENCE USA: THE BEGINNING
Entering its 11th season of play in Conference USA, ECU holds a 3-7 ledger when beginning the league season. The Pirates dropped a 3-0 decision to UTEP in Greenville last year to start C-USA action and last held a 1-0 C-Usa record in 2008 when they topped Marshall in four sets.

STATISTICAL ODDITIES
In the three matches against Virginia, Long Island and No. 1 California at the Jefferson Cup, East Carolina out-blocked and committed less attacking errors than all of its opponents, but ended up on the losing side in part to getting out-dug, tallying less kills and siding out at a lower percentage.

GETTING IN ON THE ACTION
Freshman Zarah Cecich played in two sets in the Jefferson Cup, experiencing her first extended action of her collegiate career. She posted two kills and dished out 12 assists to go along with seven digs and three block assists. Cecich also started the first contest of her career at UNC Wilmington, dishing out 25 assists and leading the Pirates to a four-set victory.

BLOCKING WITH THE BEST OF THEM
East Carolina has matched or out-blocked six of its seven opponents this season - including a 12-6 advantage over No. 1 California. The Pirates' average of 2.46 per set is third-highest in C-USA and in the top 60 nationally.

THE BEST OF YOUR CAREER
A few Pirates excelled personally in the season opener, setting new career highs. Amanda Lutzow tallied five blocks (four assists) while Kasey Kavanaugh contributed two service aces. In the match with the Bears in Virginia, Jackie Varnum piled up a personal-best nine blocks (eight assists).