Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University volleyball team continued a three-match homestand Friday with a 3-2 (20-25, 25-12, 17-25, 25-18, 18-16) victory over Saint Louis at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. The Dukes evened their overall record during the 2023 season at 7-7 (.500), including 2-4 (.333) in the Atlantic 10.
POINT OF EMPHASIS
Trailing, 2-1, after Saint Louis posted a 25-17 victory in the third set, the Dukes snapped a three-match slide by winning the final two sets, including a thriller in the fifth. Over the final two sets, Duquesne posted an attack percentage of .323, amassing 27 kills against just seven errors in 62 total attempts. In the deciding set the Dukes twice served for match point, with the Billikens staying alive and eventually grabbing a 16-15 edge. The Dukes called timeout and rallied, getting a kill from
Jordan Robertson to tie the set once again, 16-16. Duquesne was able to garner the victory when Josie Newcome posted consecutive attack errors.
QUOTABLE
"A really good team effort," head coach
Steve Opperman said. "Every set I think someone different stepped up, and in the last set everyone just played their hearts out. It was back-and-forth, back-and-forth and back-and-forth. Our blocking got better as the match progressed, and I think that helped take (Saint Louis) out of what they wanted to do. Serving was key for both teams. At the end we just dialed in and made some really nice plays. We stayed after it, especially after when we went down. Even with the youth on our team, I think our kids are playing pretty mature right now. They'll make their silly mistakes, but they came out in the fifth set, had fun and really battled."
50 CENT
Freshman
Chloe Wilmot was key for an offense that finished with 63 kills while hitting .252 against the Billikens, handing out 53 assists while also recording eight digs. A two-time Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week, Friday against the Billikens marked the fifth time this season Wilmot has finished with at least 50 assists in a match. The Dukes are 4-1 (.800) in those instances.
QUOTABLE
"Chloe does a really good job of listening," Opperman said. "There are times she wants to do what she wants to do, and there are times when it's a good thing to do that. We look at critical pieces on the floor that she is still getting adjusted to at a higher level, but she is really confident in her play. That's a big key for us."
TEETER-TOTTER
The match featured 19 ties and 10 lead changes, including 10 and five, respectively, in the fifth set alone. The comeback began in the fourth set, as after Saint Louis (9-9 / 2-4 A-10) grabbed a 7-6 lead, Duquesne reeled off a 14-5 run to open up a 21-12 cushion en route to the triumph and force a fifth set.
Hanna Wilson ignited the surge with consecutive service aces to push the Dukes in front, 8-7, while
Carsyn Henschen sealed the win with a kill off a feed from Wilmot. A balanced attack offensively,
Morgan Gish finished with five kills in the fourth set and was one of three Dukes to reach double figures in the match. She posted 15 to go along with a .462 attack percentage, while
Avery Hobson hit .368 while notching a match-high 17 kills. Henschen added 14 kills and was one six Duquesne student-athletes to post a service ace in the win.
UP NEXT
The Dukes conclude a two-match set with the Billikens Saturday with a 2:00 p.m. first serve Saturday at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.
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