Cavaliers Drop Three-Set Match to Duke

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DURHAM, N.C. – The Virginia volleyball team dropped a three-set match Friday evening at Cameron Indoor Stadium to the Duke Blue Devils by scores of 20-25, 20-25, 20-25.

Sophomore Simone Asque led the Cavaliers’ attack with 11 kills, while senior Lauren Dickson contributed a double-double of 10 kills and 10 digs. Junior AJ Cushman led Virginia’s defense with 12 digs and freshman Rachel Gray distributed 24 assists.

For Duke (14-2, 4-0 ACC), Rachael Moss led the way with 13 kills and Becci Burling added 10. Kellie Catanach dished out 40 assists, while Claire Smalzer had 16 digs.

Prior to a 6-0 run in favor of the Blue Devils to break open an even 17-17 score in the first frame, the Cavaliers battled Duke to 13 tie scores and the squads traded the lead seven times. The run plagued the Cavaliers though, and they eventually dropped the set, 25-20.

Virginia regrouped in the second stanza, pulling ahead 5-2, but the Blue Devils chipped into the Cavaliers’ lead and knotted the score at six. Duke maintained the momentum through the rally, pulling ahead 8-6, before increasing their lead to four by 17-13. The deficit was too much for Virginia and Duke went on to win, 25-20.

Duke’s offense kept the pressure on the Cavaliers throughout the third frame. Landing four-straight kills early in the set, the Blue Devils jumped out to a 6-2 lead and extended their lead to 10 by 22-12. The Cavaliers rallied though, cutting Duke’s advantage to five at 23-18, but it wasn’t enough as Duke won the third frame with a matching 25-20 score.

Virginia (6-9, 1-3 ACC) will return to action tomorrow, facing Wake Forest in Winston-Salem at 7 p.m.