'Cats Drop Heartbreaker to Duquesne

Sunday, October 10

Pittsburgh, PA

1:00 PM

Davidson College Athletics

8-9,4-3Atlantic 10

Duquesne

8-10,3-4Atlantic 10

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Davidson	25	25	26	23	1
Duquesne	27	22	28	25	3

Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com

10/10/2021 3:22:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score DavidsonPhotos.com

PITTSBURGH -- The Davidson Wildcats fell 3-1 to Duquesne University in Atlantic 10 play on Sunday, in a match that pushed all four sets to the brink.

The 'Cats, now 8-9 overall and 4-3 in A-10 play, fought for their lives against the Dukes (8-10, 3-4 A-10), dropping sets one, three and four 27-25, 28-26 and 25-23, while coming out on top in set two, 25-22.

Bella Brady's defense kept Davidson in long rallies against Duquesne, as the sophomore totaled 34 digs, just three shy of a career-high, while Isabel Decker helped on both ends of the ball with 22 kills and 12 digs for the sixth double-double of her career. Xuan Nguyen and Jessie Doyal shared 23 assists apiece, while Lauryn Albold (6 kills, 12 attempts) and Madeline Wynn (5 kills, 10 attempts) each finished with a .500 attacking percentage.

The 'Cats got off to a slower start in set one, trailing midway through the frame 15-10. The Dukes threatened to put the set out of reach too, but Anela Davis and Sophia Hritz combined for back-to-back kills and pulled back within three of the home team. Davidson later made it a one point game, at 16-15, when Sola Omonije provided one of her eight kills of the day and the Wildcats later took their first lead of the day thanks to a kill from Decker. Despite the brief 18-17 lead, Davidson fell 27-25 to the Dukes in the first set.

Davidson relied on its solid serving in the second, pulling out the 25-22 win thanks to five service aces. The Wildcats exploded into an unanswered 4-0 run to open the frame, led by Doyal's serving from the endline. As the Georgia native served the Wildcats' first ace of the frame, she also provided the assists on two kills from Hattie Rodriguez and Decker. As the 'Cats led 24-19, the Dukes' offense surged and went on a 3-0 run to make it a 24-22 game, but Davis shut down the late threat with a kill to secure the set two victory.

The Dukes responded in set three, as their attack torched the net for a .450 attacking percentage through the first half of the set. However, with a 23-16 advantage, Duquesne let the 'Cats back in as Davidson rattled off a nine-point comeback, with Brady from the endline, to earn set point at 24-23. But despite the lead, the Dukes produced a comeback of their own and scored four of the final six points of the set to win it, 28-26.

Davidson controlled the pace of set four, leading 19-14 as the set neared its end. But, the Dukes could not be counted out yet, as Duquesne charged back and scored the final six points of the day to win the match 3-1 overall.

The Dukes and 'Cats will meet again in just 12 days, as Duquesne will come into town to face Davidson from inside Belk Arena on Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.

Up Next
The Wildcats will return to the floor next week on the road at Saint Louis. Davidson will have just a one-match week with the Billikens on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. EST.