Pittsburgh, Pa. - The Duquesne University volleyball team concluded a two-game series with Rhode Island Saturday at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, falling to the Rams, 3-0. The Dukes slipped to 10-9 (.526) overall during the 2023 season, including 5-6 (.455) in the Atlantic 10.

Duquesne fell, 25-23, in the opener. Trailing, 14-11, the Rams used a 12-6 surge to grab a 23-20 advantage en route to the win. Freshman Avery Hobson led Duquesne with three kills in the set, a number that three Rhode Island (4-19 / 1-10 A-10) players reached.

Tied, 9-9, in the second set, the Rams used a 5-2 burst to grab a 14-11 lead and eventually stretched their cushion to 19-14. A servie ace from freshman Chloe Wilmot helped the Dukes close to within 21-19, but Samantha Blahut answered with a service ace of her own to stem the tide while a kill from Andrea Owens sealed the set victory and gave Rhode Island a 2-0 lead in the match.

URI was able to garner the sweep in comeback fashion in the third and final set. The Rams grabbed an early 7-4 lead before Duquesne used an 11-4 run surge in front, 15-12. The Rams would slowly chip away, tying the match, 21-21, on a kill from Owens. The third set featured seven ties and four lead changes, including 24-24. Rhode Island got a kill from Hope Passerello to grab a 25-24 edge, and on the final play for the Dukes an attempt from Morgan Gish was long. 

Despite having seven players with a kill, Duquesne failed to have a player reach double digits. Sophomore Carsyn Henschen led the Dukes with nine, while Owens produced a match-high 18 for Rhode Island.

Duquesne travels to No. 16 Dayton Tuesday, Oct. 24, for a 5:00 p.m. match that will be televised live on ESPN+.

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