The women's volleyball team (5-11, 1-3) showed consistent toughness in Friday's match when it withstood multiple surges by Florida State (9-6, 1-3). The squad's ability to hang tough late in games allowed it to log its first ACC win of the year in straight games, defeating the Seminoles .
The Blue Devils entered the match against Florida State with a 4-11 record and winless within their conference. They were unfazed, however, and leapt to a large lead early.
The Seminoles fought back to within one point at 25-24. The Blue Devils then asserted themselves, scoring the next five points en route to a convincing victory in the first game.
"I thought it was really great that we were able to get a good start," head coach Jolene Nagel said. "Early in the match, we took advantage of the opportunities we were given."
The same pattern continued in the second game, when the Blue Devils lost their long-held lead to a charging Florida State team that took a 27-26 lead.
Once again, Duke took over the end of the match and scored four in a row to win the second game.
The third game was a hard-fought contest in which the Blue Devils again took over late in the contest to win 31-29. The win in the third game was the first Duke win in its last eight matches.
"We really had to be aggressive at the end of game three; we had to push to get the last two points." Nagel said. "I was pleased that we were able to get out of there in three [games]."
Leading the Blue Devils in kills were a par of seniors, outside hitter Tassy Rufai and middle blocker Krista Dill, both of whom added four blocks. Junior setter Stephanie Istvan tallied 12 digs in the win.
"It wasn't an easy win by any means, but this team hung tough together," Nagel said. "We played aggressively when we needed to."
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