PITTSBURGH – In its first-ever match inside the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, the Duquesne volleyball team fell to VCU, 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-14), on Friday night in its first match of the Spring 2021 season. The Dukes fall to 0-1 on the season, while the Rams improve to 6-1, 2-0.

The youthful Dukes led Duquesne, with sophomore Morgan Kelly lead the team with 11 kills. Sophomore Hailey Poling posted 22 assists and eight digs. Sophomore Ashley Larson (11 digs), freshman Camille Spencer (nine digs) and Poling combined for 28 of Duquesne's 45 digs. Ego Onu and Hailey Poling each posted three blocks.

Qairo Bentley led VCU with a match-high 12 kills, while hitting at a clip of .476. Kylie Loftis added 10 kills (.476 hitting percentage). Dani Jo David distributed 22 assists, while Addison Foote (17 digs) and Bentley (12 digs) each posted double-figures in digs. 

FIRST SET

• The Dukes posted its best set overall during its opening set of the season.
• After the two teams traded points to start, Duquesne pulled a head of the VCU after a 7-1 run put the Dukes up 14-11.
• After the Dukes extended its lead to four points at 18-14 after an Olivia Alessi ace, the Rams finished the frame on an 11-1 run to take the first set, 25-19.
• Kelly posted six of her 11 kills during the first set of her sophomore season.

SECOND SET

• Duquesne started the second set strong, picking up four of the first six points, however, VCU surged ahead with a set-altering, 11-4 run, as the Rams took a 13-8 lead.
• The Dukes gained ground on the Rams with a 3-0 sprint, but VCU countered with a 3-0 charge itself.
• The Rams would finish the frame on a 9-4 run to take the second set, 25-15.

THIRD SET

• After the Dukes took a 2-1 lead in the third set on a Kelly kill, VCU stormed ahead on a 15-4 run to grab a 16-5 advantage. With the lead in hand, the Rams were able to weather a Dukes' comeback, earning the third set by a score of 25-14.

• Morgan Kelly reached the 10-killl plateau for the ninth time in her career. She finished with eight double-digit kill games during her freshman season, including seven in her final 10 matches in 2019.

• The Dukes return to action on Fri., Feb. 26 when Duquesne battles Dayton at UD Arena.

• KILL: Morgan Kelly
• ASSIST: Hailey Poling
• SUBSTITUTION: Claire Boe
• BLOCK: Jasmine Knight, Qairo Bentley (VCU)
• SERVICE ACE: Olivia Alessi