Sept. 3, 2010

Box Score

MADISON, Wisc. - The Duquesne volleyball team gave a valiant effort, but Wisconsin proved to be too much on Friday night as the Badgers handed the Dukes its first loss of the season 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-22).

Nicole Wright led DU with 10 kills. Amy Palko had a team-best 13 digs and Liz Homan added five blocks while hitting .333.

Allison Wack had a match-best 13 kills and Kim Kuzma recorded 15 a match-high 15 digs for the Badgers who remain undefeated.

This is the second consecutive season Du has played a team out of the Big Ten Conference - Michigan State being the last on Sept. 11, 2009.

The Dukes went up early in the first set, but eventually fell behind 15-10. After a 7-2 DU run, the score was tied at 17-17. Wack's kills broke the deadlock and put UW ahead for good. A Dominique Thompson kill ended the set 25-23 in favor of the Badgers.

The teams split the first 12 points of the second set before a 11-4 run put UW up 17-10. DU would get no closer, dropping the set 25-16.

In the third set, Duquesne got off to a fast 5-4 lead, but could not hang on as Wisconsin eventually build a seven point lead at 23-16. The Dukes would score six on the next seven points to make the score 24-22, but Wack's kill at the third match point ended the set at 25-22 and the match 3-0.

The Dukes have a pair of matches Saturday - Loyola, Ill at 11:00 a.m. and Chicago State at 6 p.m.