Duke Earns Road ACC Win at Syracuse

Sunday, October 30

Syracuse, N.Y.

1:00 PM

Duke University

Syracuse

Duke Earns Road ACC Win at Syracuse

10/30/2016 4:18:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score (PDF)

By: Duke Sports Information

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Sophomore middle blocker Leah Meyer knocked down a career-high 19 kills and added eight blocks to pace Duke in a 3-1 (25-15, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21) road ACC victory Sunday afternoon at the Women's Building.

Meyer notched her 19 kills on 33 attempt with just five attack errors, good for a .424 hitting percentage. Sunday's contest marked Meyer's third straight in double-digit kills and second consecutive with eight blocks.

Middle blocker Jordan Tucker joined Meyer in double-digit kills, adding 11 of her own to go along with two service aces.

“We did a great job getting the ball to our middles,” said head coach Jolene Nagel. “Leah [Meyer] and Jordan [Tucker] were getting available and working hard on the defensive end blocking. Leah had a great day. She stayed pressed on the block and hustled to get the ball when she could. She was really efficient with her attempts. “Jordan [Tucker] came up with kills at key moments today. She was her usual steady, smart self.”

Duke (16-6, 10-2 ACC) limited Syracuse (6-16, 5-7 ACC) to a .178 clip, collecting 10.0 blocks and 78 digs in the four-set affair. Libero Sasha Karelov picked up a match-high 24 digs to record her 12^th 20-dig match of the 2016 campaign. Outside hitter Jamie Stivers and defensive specialist Nicole Elattrache added 13 apiece. Freshman setter Cindy Marina added nine digs to go along with 52 assists.

“Our defense really worked on getting that ball up to target,” Nagel added. “Sasha [Karelov] did a great job again at libero making some digs and staying relaxed, but we had a lot of people contributing on that defense end today.”

Duke totaled 31 digs and 4.0 blocks to limit Syracuse to a -.104 hitting percentage in a decisive 25-15 first-set victory. The Blue Devils scored four straight with defensive specialist Chloe DiPasquale behind the service line to take a 16-9 lead. Duke maintained its comfortable lead the rest of the way and sealed the set on Meyer's third kill.

Syracuse used an 8-2 stretch to establish set point after trailing 19-16. Duke fought off a pair of set points before the Orange notched a kill to tie the match 1-1 overall.

Down 20-17 late in the third, Meyer took over to instigate a 7-0 Duke run. Meyer totaled four blocks assists and three kills in that stretch, including the final tally to propel Duke to a 25-21 decision.

Back-to-back-to-back Meyer kills in the fourth gave Duke a 20-14 lead. Syracuse was able to trim the margin to 23-20 before the Blue Devils pulled away following Meyer and Tucker kills.

“We're really excited to get two road wins this weekend,” Nagel said. “Our team persevered to get this one today against a good opponent. We served well with five aces and one service error. Our defense really worked hard to get touches on the block and we dug a good number of balls.”

Duke returns to action this coming weekend with a pair of matches in Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils take the court opposite Louisville at 3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4 before hosting Notre Dame Sunday, Nov. 6 at 12 p.m.

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