Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University volleyball team opened the Duquesne/RMU Invitational on Friday night with its fourth sweep of the season, defeating Buffalo in straight sets, 3-0, at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. With the win, the Dukes improved to 8-2 (.800) on the season.

POINT OF EMPHASIS
In a set that saw nine ties and three lead changes, Duquesne used a late rally to secure a 25-23 opening-set victory. Buffalo grabbed an early 8-7 edge and then strung together four straight points to build a 12-7 lead. Following a Duquesne timeout, the Dukes responded with a 9-4 run to even the score at 16-16, fueled by two kills apiece from senior Carsyn Henschen, junior Jordan Robertson, and sophomore Emersen Schrom. The Bulls regained momentum to pull ahead 21-19, but Robertson delivered a key kill and junior Chloe Wilmot followed with a service ace to tie things at 21. After trading the next four points, Schrom connected for a kill and Robertson sealed the set with an ace. Despite hitting just .209, the Dukes outpaced the Bulls offensively, finishing with 19 kills to Buffalo's 10.

RIDING THE WAVE
Duquesne carried its momentum into the second set, hitting .313 while recording 14 kills, four blocks, and four aces. Tied at 11, the Dukes pulled ahead by taking five of the next eight points, highlighted by two kills from Robertson, a block from Schrom and Robertson, and a Robertson ace for a 16-14 edge. Buffalo capitalized on Duquesne miscues to even the score at 16 and later closed within 19-18, but the Dukes responded. A block from Helm and junior Chloe Wilmot sparked a 6-2 run that pushed Duquesne to set point. After a service error, junior Kylie Griffin put away a kill, and Wilmot followed with an ace to force a Buffalo timeout. Out of the break, Henschen added a kill, and Robertson sealed the frame with a solo block for a 25-20 victory and a 2-0 lead in the match.

TIME FOR A SWEEP
Despite a sluggish hitting performance from both sides, Duquesne used a series of runs to secure its fourth sweep of the season. After taking an early 3-2 edge, the Dukes put together a 5-1 spurt to build an 8-3 lead, then broke the set open with a 10-3 stint to extend the margin to 18-6. Kylie Griffin fueled the surge with three kills, while Helm added two and a solo block, while Wilmot chipped in one. Robertson and Wilmot combined for a rejection to cap the stretch. Buffalo closed the gap to 23-15, but Schrom delivered a successful swing and a Bulls miscue sealed the set, 25-16, and the sweep for Duquesne.

QUOTABLE
"I thought overall we did a nice job of taking care of business tonight," head coach Steve Opperman said. "After a slow start in the first set, our kids battled back and gave a glimpse of what they are made of. We have a nice mix of players on the floor that are really doing a good job connecting. We had really nice balance again tonight and production from so many players. Our focus is to clean things up moving forward and decrease some of our inconsistencies."

INSIDE THE STAT SHEET
A pair of Dukes finished with double figure kills, led by Carsyn Henschen who posted her sixth match of the season with double digit kills. She finished with a team-high 11 successful swings on 18 attacks and only two errors while posting a .500 hitting percentage. Emersen Schrom ended with 10 kills, four digs, and one ace while continuing her streak of 10 straight matches with double figure kills. Ariel Helm and Jordan Robertson each tallied seven kills and three total blocks while Robertson posted a career-high four service aces. Kylie Griffin finished with six kills and one dig on Friday. Pacing the offense was Chloe Wilmot who recorded her 10^th straight match of 30+ assists, finishing with 32 helpers, eight digs, two aces, and 1.5 total blocks. Madison Grimm and Hanna Wilson each finished with seven and six digs respectfully while Wilson carded a pair of aces.

UP NEXT
Duquesne wraps up non-conference action when it welcomes Saint Francis on Saturday, Sept. 20 inside UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.