DURHAM – The Duke volleyball team will host No. 10 Pittsburgh (12-2, 3-0 ACC) and Virginia (8-6, 0-3 ACC) this weekend in Cameron Indoor Stadium. First serve Friday against the Panthers is set for 6:30 p.m., followed by a 4 p.m., match against Virginia Sunday. Sunday’s match will be broadcast on ACCN.
LAST TIME OUT
The Duke volleyball team snapped its nine-match win streak over the weekend at Syracuse and Boston College. The Blue Devils lost to the Orange (3-1) before a five-set marathon setback at Boston College (3-2). Senior Gracie Johnson spearheaded Duke’s offense against the Eagles with 20 kills while Rylie Kadel added 12 on no errors to hit an impressive .632 percent. Over the two matches, Kadel tallied 20 kills and just one error on 34 swings to play to a .559 clip. She also added three aces and 14 blocks, including three solo.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE SERIES
PITTSBURGH
Duke is 8-13 all-time against Pittsburgh and have lost five straight. Duke’s last win came in 2018 when the Blue Devils handed the No. 5 Panthers their first loss of the 2018 season.
VIRGINIA
Duke leads the all-time series 56-13 over Virginia and have won 26 of the last 27 meetings.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
PITTSBURGH
The 10th-ranked Panthers are 12-2 (3-0 ACC) entering Friday’s match and most recently secured a 3-1 win at Virginia Wednesday. They are ranked in the top five in the ACC of seven different categories, headlined by assists (663 | 1st), kills (706 | 1st) and hitting percentage (.265 | 2nd). Offensively, the Panthers feature four with 100 or more kills this season, led by Courtney Buzzerio with 167 and owns a .328 hitting percentage. Rachel Fairbanks is Pitt’s main “quarterback” with 343 assists while Ashley Browske owns 146 digs. At the net, Chiamaka Nwokolo has tallied 50.0 blocks, followed by Serena Gray with 49.0. As a team, the Panthers are hitting .265 this season with 13.8 kills/set and are limiting their opponents to a .163 clip.
VIRGINIA
Virginia enters Sunday’s contest 8-6 overall and 0-3 in the ACC after dropping a 3-1 decision to No. 10 Pittsburgh Wednesdsay evening. Offensively, the Cavaliers are led by Grace Turner with 205 kills. Virginia splits time between two setters (Ashley Le and Gabby Easton) who own 294 and 275 assists, respectively. Turner also features 27 aces, 109 digs and 25.0 blocks as an…
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