Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University volleyball team defeated Saint Louis in five sets Saturday at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse to complete a sweep of the series. The Dukes moved above .500 overall with the triumph with an 8-7 (.533) overall mark, including a 3-4 (.429) ledger in the Atlantic 10.
Graduate student Morgan Gish and freshman Avery Hobson each recorded 15 kills, with the duo combining for five kills in the deciding set.
Duquesne trailed the match, 2-1, after the third set for the second time in as many days against the Billikins, but the Dukes again pulled themselves out of a hole again, boasting more kills and a higher attack percentage, in claiming the final two sets to secure the victory.
Gish also tallied 15 digs for her sixth double-double of the season, which leads the Dukes. Sophomore Carsyn Henschen and freshman Jordan Robertson each tallied eight kills, with Robertson adding seven total blocks. Sophomore Madison Grimm and senior Camille Spencer tied for the team-lead in digs with 13, respectively.
Duquesne fell behind early in the first set and was never able to come back, losing 25-16. Delayney Rice, the leader in kills for Saint Louis, recorded four kills and a service ace to bolster Saint Louis (9-10 / 2-5 A-10).
Duquesne trailed, 20-15, in the second set before three attack errors by the Billikens assisted in a 5-0 run for the Dukes. Three separate Dukes - Hobson, Henschen and Wilmot – recorded kills as the Dukes went on to take the set, 25-23, and tie the match.
The third set saw yet another 20-20 score, but this time it was the Billikens who came out on top, using a 3-0 surge en route to a 25-22 win. Saint Louis finished with a 4-1 edge in blocks during the middle set.
Duquesne dominated the fourth, winning 25-16 and forcing the second winner-take-all final set in the two-game series. In the fifth set the Dukes trailed, 6-1, before an 8-3 run knotted the final set, 9-9. The Billikens owned an 18-17 lead before a 3-0 run helped Duquesne seal its second consecutive win in five sets.
Duquesne will travel to the nation's capital for a weekend doubleheader with A-10 rival George Washington. First serve will be at 6:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, and 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE DUKES
For the latest news and updates for Duquesne volleyball, follow @DuqVB on Twitter (X) and Instagram.
