The Blue Devils kick off their season this weekend by diving straight into high-level competition, playing three of last season's NCAA tournament teams.
Duke travels to West Lafayette, Ind. to participate in the Purdue Mortar Board Premier with No. 25 Purdue, No. 14 Kansas State and Tennessee State. The Blue Devils will open the tournament against the host Boilermakers at 7 p.m. at Belin Court.
Despite the challenge the young Duke team faces this weekend, the Blue Devils hope to use the initial week of competition to see how well they cope in real-time situations.
"It's a chance for us to learn more about our team in the preseason and in a competitive setting," head coach Jolene Nagel said. "I want to see our team play under pressure in a competitive setting. But I also want to see how we stack up against the tougher opponents."
Duke will use the event to fine-tune its lineup, which has many holes from the departure of last year's seniors. In particular, the libero position, once held by Jenny Shull, is up for grabs.
In the setting position, as many as three players may get playing time. Junior Christina Falcone, sophomore Alex Sall and freshman Kellie Catanach will have a chance to earn some time on the court.
The Blue Devils do, however, return starters Sue Carls and seniors Jourdan Norman at the blocking positions and Aana Wherry and junior Rachel Moss at the hitting positions.
With all the competition on the Blue Devils' roster for each position, other teams are going to have difficulties figuring out just which lineup Duke will send out on the court, Carls said.
"We have so many looks, which is just going to make us more versatile, and it'll make us harder to scout and read for opponents," Carls said.
On Saturday, the Blue Devils will have their hands full, facing the Wildcats at noon, followed by a quick turnaround at 5 p.m. when the team takes on the Tigers for its final game of the weekend.
Even though this weekend may be one of the biggest challenges Duke faces before ACC play, the players are excited to finally have a chance to compete against another team and not with each other.
And more importantly, they are ready to prove that regardless of key players lost from last season, the Blue Devils are not looking at the season as a down year.
"It's a big advantage to us because people are going to underestimate our team," Carls said. "Because we lost such a core group, people are going to think we aren't going to be as competitive. And we just want to prove them wrong."
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