The volleyball team defeated the University of Virginia, 3-1, (28-30, 30-22, 30-25, 30-17) last night at University Hall in Charlottesville, Va., for its sixth straight win overall and fifth consecutive conference victory.
The Cavaliers (7-20, 1-10 in the ACC) exploited the Blue Devils (20-6, 8-3) poor hitting and lack of consistency to emerge victorious in the first match.
"We weren't playing well out there," head coach Jolene Nagel said. "We just could not get any momentum."
UVa's constant attack made it difficult for Duke's defense to react.
"We had some lapses in our defense at times that really hurt us," senior Jill Sonne said. "We then worked hard to get all of the balls and tried to minimize our errors."
Duke, led by junior Katie Gilman's match-high 18 kills and 16 digs, rebounded quickly, defeating UVa by a combined 26 points in the next three matches.
"I talked to my teammates, and we knew what was open," Gilman said. "We expected to come out with intensity and were able to come out strong after the first loss."
Four Duke players recorded double-doubles. Aside from Gilman, Sonne totaled 16 kills and 12 digs, Sarah Salem notched 15 kills and 10 digs and sophomore setter Stephanie Istvan rounded out the group with 47 assists and 13 digs.
"Stephanie played extremely well," Nagel said.
The Blue Devils, who already decimated the Cavaliers 3-0 in Cameron Indoor Stadium earlier in the season proved once again that they can be a team to reckon with in the ACC.
In addition to holding a .344-.156 edge in hitting percentage, Duke also led in kills (73-57) and digs (81-57). Duke completed its categorical dominance with a 10-8 advantage in blocks.
"We played hard and earned some respect," said Nagel.
Junior outside hitter Paige Davis recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 11 kills and a team-high 14 digs.
Krista Dill, who was named the ACC volleyball player of the week last Monday, was more than effective up front. The 6-foot-3 junior added a match-high .435 hitting percentage to her 12 kills in the contest.
Duke faces Maryland Sunday in its third consecutive away match.
"I haven't really begun to think about the next game yet," Nagel said.
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