The volleyball team capped off its four-match homestand with a 3-0 victory Friday night, defeating Georgia Tech for the second time this season.
The win was the Blue Devils' 10th in as many home matches this season, and marked the first time an ACC team has recorded a regular-season series sweep over the Yellow Jackets since 2002.
Duke had lost both of its regular season games to Georgia Tech last season, 3-0.
Georgia Tech entered Cameron Indoor Stadium fresh off a four-match winning streak and in second place in the ACC. But Duke (15-6, 9-4 in the ACC) was not intimidated, as it came from behind and gained control of each game.
"We hung pretty steady throughout," head coach Jolene Nagel said. "We went on some runs of our own and got rid of the errors we were making early on in the match, which helped us step forward."
In Game 1, Duke rallied to turn a tight 12-12 score into a 30-22 win.
Georgia Tech (13-9, 9-4) established a 19-14 lead in both Games 2 and 3, but each time the relentless Blue Devil defense stormed back with solid blocking to close the game.
"This is probably the best game we've ever had with blocking," said Carrie DeMange, who tallied six blocks. "Blocking is key when you play teams with such solid hitters like Georgia Tech."
DeMange, a sophomore middle blocker, also led the team with 12 kills and contributed nine digs during the match. Seniors Samantha Fisher and Sarah Salem, and junior Tealle Hunkus each added 11 kills. But despite Duke's offensive performances, the team's defense was the key to its victory.
"Our whole game was about the defense and our block really helped us to be able to dig balls," Nagel said. "I thought that was the difference in the match."
The Blue Devils recorded 14 team blocks to the Yellow Jackets' two. Middle blocker Jourdan Norman and setter Ali Hausfeld each added six and five block assists, respectively.
Whenever Georgia Tech rallied, the Blue Devils regrouped in their huddle and regained control.
"We needed to keep up the energy and bring it back to our side," DeMange said. "We couldn't let Georgia Tech make runs on us."
Duke will take its four-match winning streak to Chapel Hill to face rival North Carolina Nov. 4. The Tar Heels (16-7, 11-2) are currently in second place in the ACC.
"We try to look at each match as if we're playing a faceless opponent," Nagel said. "It's always a huge match whenever Duke and UNC get together in every sport, and we have to make sure that that excitement won't take us out of our game."
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