NCAA Womens Volleyball

Duke Outlasts Michigan State in Five

Winthrop

DURHAM – The Duke volleyball team outlasted Michigan State, 3-2 (25-17, 25-13, 17-25, 22-25, 15-10), in a marathon match Saturday evening at Cameron Indoor Stadium. 

How it Happened

  • The Blue Devils were led by sophomore Rachel Richardson and rookie Taylor Atkinson with 14 kills each as Atkinson’s showing was a career high. 
  • Setter Devon Chang dished 46 assists while libero Nikki Underwood tallied 21 digs. Senior Lizzie Fleming registered six blocks to pace the blocking contingent, including one solo. 
  • Duke opened the match and took an early 1-0 lead by limiting Michigan State to a negative hitting percentage while Rylie Kadel tallied three consecutive aces midway through the set.
  • The Blue Devils came out in the second set with a spark and posted a .433 hitting percentage as Atkinson came off the bench and tallied eight kills to post a .571 clip.
  • Duke struggled to find its offensive rhythm in the third as the Spartans played to a .300 hitting percentage. 
  • Duke trailed 23-13 in the fourth set and despite its best efforts with a 9-2 run, Michigan State evened the match (2-2). 
  • In the final set, the Blue Devils came out fast with a 5-0 early lead and did not let up. Fleming and Richardson combined for seven kills and no errors as the team hit .500 to win their seventh contest this fall.

Notes

  • Duke improved to 7-2 with its seventh-straight win.
  • It was head coach Jolene Nagel‘s 674th career victory and her 471st at the helm of the Blue Devils. 
  • Duke moves to 3-2 all-time…

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