PITTSBURGH – On Friday night in Atlantic 10 volleyball action, the Duquesne Dukes (9-12, 3-5 A10) fell to VCU (16-5, 7-0 A10) in straight sets at Mt. Lebanon High School in the South Hills.

The Rams, one of just two teams in the Atlantic 10 with a perfect conference record, earned set wins by scores of 25-19, 25-13, and 25-12 for their 10th consecutive victory and sixth-straight sweep. 

The Dukes were led offensively by Maria Mosbacher and Summer Slade, who each posted eight kills. Mosbacher registered an attack percentage of .300 in the contest. Morgan Kelly added five kills for the Dukes. Hailey Poling dished 19 assists of Duquesne's 22 assists on the night.

Defensively, the trio of Kelly, Poling and Ashely Larson each tallied eight digs.

The Dukes are back in action on Sunday, when Duquesne hosts Davidson. Match time at Mt. Lebanon High School is set for 1:00 p.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Dukes and Rams would begin the match even, as both squads were knotted at 10-10. Duquesne grabbed a 13-10 lead after a pair of kills from Mosbacher and a Ram attack error, but the Rams would surge ahead with an 8-0 sprint to grab an 18-13 advantage. VCU would lead the rest of the way, earning the first set by a 25-19 score.
• The Rams began the second set strong, by earning nine of the first 10 points in the frame. The Dukes cut the deficit to just four at 10-6 after kills from Wayne, Poling and Slade. The Rams countered with a 9-3 sprint to grab a 19-9 advantage. VCU would go on to win the second set, 25-13.
• The Rams built a 13-4 lead to begin the third set. The Rams would go on to take the set by 25-12 mark.