GREENVILLE, N.C. - Sophomore middle blocker Jaime Bevan and freshman Kelley Wernert combined for 22 kills and junior libero Johanna Bertini recorded 19 digs as East Carolina (9-14, 3-5 C-USA) swept through Southern Miss in three games, 30-24, 30-26, 30-17, Saturday night at Williams Arena in Conference USA volleyball action. The Lady Pirates out-dug the Golden Eagles, 59-39, on "Dig for the Cure" night to benefit breast cancer.

Paige Howell hit .714 and finished with 10 kills on 14 attacks for the Lady Pirates. Bevan finished the match with 18 points including the 11 kills, four service aces, two solo blocks and two block assists. Junior Pam Ferris had 10 digs. Sophomore setter Heidi Krug ran the offense with 41 assists. Krug chipped in two service aces and nine digs.

Jazzmien Stephens led Southern Miss with nine kills while hitting .444. Amanda Blunck and Nicole Rock each had seven kills for the Golden Eagles who fell to 0-7 in C-USA and 5-15 overall.

Bertini picked up eight digs in game one to help lead the Pirates to a 30-24 win. Howell, Wernert and Erica Wilson each had four kills in game one. ECU never trailed in that first game and led 18-13 before USM closed within 22-20 on a Lady Pirate attacking error. ECU ended the game on an 8-4 run with Wilson's fourth kill ending the game.

Bevan put down seven kills in game two to help the Lady Pirates rally from a 10-8 deficit. Southern Miss led 19-18 after Krug was called for a ball-handling error. East Carolina used a 7-2 run to take a 25-21 lead. The Golden Eagles came within 25-23 before Howell had two kills to help end the game.

ECU jumped out to a 20-10 lead in game three. The Lady Pirates led 26-12 after a kill from Howell. Krug ended the game and the match with her second kill of the night.

Junior Erica Wilson finished with seven kills for the Lady Pirates. ECU had 11 service aces in the match and six total blocks.

East Carolina hits the road for three straight Conference USA matches. ECU travel to Charlotte next weekend.