BRONX, N.Y. -- The Duquesne University volleyball team earned its first conference win of the season with a three-set victory over the Fordham Rams in the Bronx on Saturday afternoon.
Duquesne (6-4, 1-1 A-10) was led by three players with double-digit kills in sophomore Carsyn Henschen with a game-high 16 and 11 apiece from graduate student Morgan Gish and freshman Avery Hobson. This was Henschen's second straight day with over 15 kills, after a 17-kill day on Friday.
Gish and Hobson each picked up a double-double, recording 12 and 13 digs respectively. This was Gish's third double-double and Hobson's fifth of the season. Sophomore Madison Grimm led the Dukes back line with 14 digs, while Ariel Helm tied her career high with a game-high six blocks at the net. Freshman Chloe Wilmot led all players in assists with 39.
The Dukes hopped off to a 5-2 start in the first set, and never trailed afterwards. Duquesne held multiple 4- and 5-point leads, including being up 14-9 and 23-19 over the Rams (10-2, 1-1 A-10). DU out-killed the Fordham 19-9 in the first set.
Duquesne rallied in the second set, after being down 19-15 at one point. They went on a 4-1 run to tie the game at 20 points apiece. After a 23-23 tie late in the set, kills from Henschen and Hobson put the Dukes up two sets to zero.
It was a flashback to the first set in the third, as the Dukes jumped off to a 3-0 start and never surrendered the lead, taking the set 25-18, and thus taking the match in convincing fashion. Henschen recorded seven of her kills in the third set.
The Dukes will be back in action next weekend with another Friday-Saturday doubleheader, this time against VCU in Richmond, Va. The games will be at 6 P.M. and 5 P.M. respectively and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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