GREENVILLE, N.C.- After a comfortable first round win in the NIVC, UConn volleyball came back from an early 1-0 match deficit, rattling off three straight set victories over former American Athletic Conference foe East Carolina University in the NIVC Super 16 Friday night in Greenville.
The host Pirates jumped out to a 6-2 lead, rattling off 6 points in a row to force an early UConn timeout. A balanced offensive attack that got East Carolina past Winthrop in the first round persisted in the first frame, keeping the lead at 10-4. The Pirates, led by Fran McBride's 4 kills, ballooned the lead to 23-11. ECU had 6 aces in the frame to win the first set 25-11.
Emma Werkmeister started the second set with consecutive aces to get the Huskies in front 5-2. Grace Maria got involved with an ace, and combined blocks from Jess Perry and Anna Herman kept the Huskies in front 9-5. Hanna Tylska and Taylor Pannell got on the scoresheet, and another Herman block extended the UConn lead to 16-10. The Huskies fought with an even attack of their own, with multiple contributions from 5 players to stay ahead 20-12. Terminations from Werkmeister, Pannell and Tylska brought UConn even in the match, taking the second set 25-18.
After falling behind 4-1, kills from Tylska and Perry, and a Doga Kutlu ace energized the Huskies, fueling a 6-0 run to leap in front 7-4. Pannell and Tylska ramped up the intensity in a pivotal third set to keep the Huskies in front 15-10. East Carolina cut the Husky lead to 16-14, as Carlia Northcross and Ellie Pate combined for the Pirates' ninth block as a team, pushing UConn to talk things over. The Huskies responded in a strong way in the closing moments of the third, as Tylska chipped in consecutive kills to lift UConn in the third set 25-20.
Errors from UConn and strong defensive play from ECU got the Pirates ahead 9-6 in a win-or-go-home fourth set. A key timeout flipped the script for the Huskies, led by their unanimous all-conference pick Kutlu, who put forth tremendous effort on both ends. Tylska and Herman continued to dominate on the attack, pushing UConn on an extended run that saw the visitors take12 of the next 14 points to go in front 19-14. The Huskies did not take their foot off the gas in the fourth set, rolling through the frame to claim the match and keep the magical season rolling into the Great 8 of the NIVC.
Tylska led all players in the match with 18 kills, with a hit percentage of .385. Pannell and Herman also recorded double-digit kills at 12 and 10, respectively. Fran McBride led the Pirates with 17 kills in the defeat.
Up Next: The Huskies will wait to see their next opponent in the Great 8 Round, either St. John's, NC A&T, or Virginia.
Latest Women's Volleyball
- Relentless: How UConn Volleyball Bounced Back in 2024STORRS, Conn.- On November 18th, 2023, UConn volleyball closed out their season with a five-set home victory over Villanova. The victory wrapped up a tough season for the Huskies, the first one in the building formerly known as the Freitas Ice Forum. UConn finished tied for tied for last in the BIG EAST, with a conference record of 3-15.
- Volleyball's Turnaround Season Ends in NIVC Great 8QUEENS, N.Y.- UConn volleyball's 2024 season came to a close Thursday night at the hands of Big East rival St. John's, as the Huskies fell in four sets in the Great 8 Round of the NIVC.
- Volleyball Faces St. John's in NIVC Great 8STORRS, Conn.- UConn volleyball continues their postseason run on Thursday night against a familiar opponent. The Huskies will travel down to Queens in the Great 8 Round of the NIVC, taking on BIG EAST foe St. John's for the third time this season. UConn has had success against the Red Storm so far this season, winning both previous matches.
- Volleyball Advances to Face East Carolina in NIVC Super 16GREENVILLE, N.C.- UConn volleyball continues their NIVC run on Friday night, as they take on former American Athletic Conference foe East Carolina University in the Super 16 round.
- Survive and Advance: Volleyball Sweeps Mercer in NIVC First RoundGREENVILLE, N.C.- UConn volleyball returned to the postseason for the first time since 2021, battling Mercer University in the first round of the NIVC.
- Huskies Face Mercer in NIVC First RoundSTORRS, Conn.- UConn volleyball was selected for the National Invitational Volleyball Championship. The bracket was revealed on Sunday night by Triple Crown Sports. The Huskies secured the BIG EAST automatic qualifying bid, one of 11 automatic qualifiers of the 29 teams that will take part in the event. UConn will take on Mercer in the East Carolina region on Thursday afternoon at 3pm.
