In the first out-of-state trip on the conference schedule, the Blue Devils hope to continue their strong early-season play and maintain long winning streaks against two ACC foes.
Duke takes on Maryland in College Park, Md. tonight, and then continues up the coast to face Boston College (10-2, 0-1 in the ACC) two days later.
The Blue Devils (11-2, 1-0) have beaten the Terrapins (9-5, 1-0) on six straight occasions, and have never lost to the Eagles in seven all-time meetings.
Maryland should represent the tougher of the two opponents this weekend despite the Terrapins’ inferior record. Maryland beat Boston College 3-1 last week, and the Eagles were picked to finish at the bottom of the conference in the preseason.
Duke embarks on its first ACC road trip outside of North Carolina in a confident mood after sweeping the Black and Gold Challenge in Winston-Salem last weekend. In that tournament, the Blue Devils defeated nonconference foes Liberty and Appalachian State, and also beat host Wake Forest to win the challenge.
As a result, sophomore setter Kellie Catanach was named ACC Player of the Week. Catanach recorded 136 assists, four service aces and 11 kills last weekend.
After returning from the northeast, Duke has five days off before a home match against Virginia next Friday.
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