Duke Sweeps Clemson, Improves to 8-1 in ACC

Friday, October 21

Durham, N.C.

6:30 PM

Duke University

Clemson

Duke Sweeps Clemson, Improves to 8-1 in ACC

10/21/2016 9:20:00 PM | Volleyball

Jolene Nagel Postgame: Duke 3, Clemson 0 Jordan Tucker Postgame: Duke 3, Clemson 0 Cindy Marina Postgame: Duke 3, Clemson 0 VB Highlights: Duke 3, Clemson 0 Photo Gallery Season Stats Box Score (HTML)Box Score (PDF)

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke swept its sixth opponent of the season, defeating Clemson in straight sets (25-10, 25-21, 25-19) Friday evening in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The Blue Devil's defense was stifling yet again as Duke (14-5, 8-1 ACC) limited Clemson (6-15, 1-8 ACC) to a .071 hitting percentage. One of the ACC's top defensive teams, Duke has now held 12 of its 19 opponents to a hitting percentage under .200.

Senior libero Sasha Karelov led all players with 18 digs, followed by freshman setter Cindy Marina (16) and senior defensive specialist Chloe DiPasquale. Clemson totaled just 28 kills while committing 19 attack errors on 126 attempts.

Duke's offense found its rhythm early and the Blue Devils totaled at least 15 kills in all three frames. Senior middle blocker Jordan Tucker topped double-digit kills for the 14^th time this season, registering a match-high 13 on the night. Tucker committed one lone attack error on 23 swings, good for a .522 hitting percentage.

My defense was making it really easy on me tonight,” said Tucker. “I was thanking them all game. I felt really comfortable to put up a good block and turn around and that ball was going to be right where it needed to be. It kind of just clicked. That's always a fun one.”

Sophomore outside hitter Jessi Bartholomew joined Tucker in double-digit kills, knocking down 10. Freshman rightside hitter Samantha Amos and sophomore middle blocker Leah Meyer chipped in nine apiece.

Freshman setter Cindy Marina notched her 12^th double-double with a 41-assist, 16-dig performance. Marina also added two service aces and a pair of blocks.

“Clemson was trying to key on the middles,” said Marina, “so I was trying to spread out the offense and give our middles as well as our outsides some room to swing.”

“[Marina] dug a lot of balls to help us transition and score points,” added head coach Jolene Nagel. “She's doing a great job on defense as well as setting. We're excited we have a setter who's going to play a little defense out there.”

Duke dominated the opening stanza, 25-10. The Blue Devils scored the match's first six points and never trailed, hitting .452 for the frame. Duke's defense picked up 23 digs and Clemson could come up with just six kills in the frame.

The Blue Devils fell behind five points by the second set's midway point, but closed out the frame on a 13-4 run. Duke out down eight kills during that stretch to turn a 17-12 deficit into a 25-21 victory.

“[Our team] really executed well in that first set,” Nagel said. “Not so excited about how we dug ourselves a whole in the second set. That's part of being human, but it's something in volleyball you really have to fight. It was exciting to see our team work hard and come back in that second set. We saw some real progress with our team tonight.”

Duke again trailed in the third, this time by three points, before taking the lead for good, 18-16, with back-to-back Marina aces. The Blue Devils closed out the match with a 9-3 stretch to seal the sweep.

Duke returns to Cameron Indoor Stadium Sunday, Oct. 23, facing Georgia Tech at 1 p.m., on ACC Network Extra.

#GoDuke