Pittsburgh, Pa. – Sophomore outside hitter
Emersen Schrom and senior middle blocker
Ariel Helm were named to the Chick-fil-A Robinson Classic All-Tournament Team, with Schrom earning Most Valuable Player honors for the second straight weekend. The duo led the Duquesne volleyball team to a perfect 3-0 record, matching the program's best start since 2008 with an overall 6-0 mark.
For the second straight weekend, Schrom turned in a standout performance, powering the Dukes' offense with 4.88 points and 4.38 kills per set while also averaging 2.46 digs. Across three matches, the Pittsburgh native racked up 57 kills, 32 digs, and seven blocks. She opened play with her second double-double of the season, 14 kills and 12 digs, adding two service aces and two blocks in a 3-1 win over Loyola Maryland. Schrom followed with another double-double in a 3-1 victory against FDU, tallying 14 kills, 13 digs, and five blocks for her third double-double of the year. She capped the weekend with a career-best outing in a five-set win at RMU, posting 29 kills on 60 swings with a .467 hitting percentage and just one error, while also contributing seven digs and an assist. Her 29 kills came within one of the program's all-time record for a five-set match. Schrom now leads the Atlantic 10 in kills per set (4.64) and total kills (102), while also topping the conference in total points (122.5) and points per set (5.57).
Helm, a native of Indianapolis, anchored the middle for the Dukes, averaging 2.81 points, 2.23 kills, and 1.15 blocks per set. She totaled 29 kills, a .418 hitting percentage, and 15 blocks across the weekend. In the opener against Loyola Maryland, the senior matched her career high with 13 kills on a .524 hitting percentage while adding three blocks. She followed with eight kills and seven blocks on a .412 clip in a win over FDU, then closed the tournament with eight kills and five blocks in a five-set victory at RMU. Helm currently leads the Atlantic 10 with a .400 hitting percentage, while ranking third in total blocks (27) and seventh in blocks per set (1.23).
UP NEXT
Duquesne hits the road next weekend for the Best Western Invitational in Oxford, Ohio. The Dukes will face Southern Indiana and Middle Tennessee on Friday, Sept. 12, before closing tournament play against host Miami (OH) on Saturday, Sept. 13.
