Score: Duquesne 3, VCU 1 (25-19, 15-25, 25-21, 25-23)
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. (UPMC Cooper Field House)
Records: VCU 12-15 (7-8 Atlantic 10), Duquesne 7-20 (4-11)
 
The short story: Big nights from junior middle blockers Jasmine Knight and Sarah Stratton were not enough to save VCU on the road Friday night at Duquesne.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Knight ripped a career-high 18 kills for the Rams Friday, while hitting .552 in 29 swings
• Stratton blasted eight kills and hit .438 for the Black and Gold, while supplying eight blocks
• Senior outside hitter Qairo Bentley added 10 kills, 21 digs and four blocks for VCU
• Morgan Kelly and Carsyn Henschen led the Dukes with 14 kills a piece 

THE DIFFERENCE

• Duquesne was able to turn the tide in the match with late runs in the third and fourth sets. VCU led 17-13 in the third frame, but three Duquesne blocks and a pair of Kelly kills highlighted a 12-4 run by the Dukes to close out the set
• The fourth set followed a similar playbook. Stratton helped push the Rams to a 19-15 advantage with a pair of kills, but the VCU watched as Kelly spiked three kills to lead a 10-4 Duquesne run to end the match
• Duquesne hit .275 in the match, while VCU hit .189 

NOTABLE

• VCU served up 10 aces in the match, including three by sophomore setter Taylor Aguano
• The Rams owned a 10-6 edge in blocks

NEXT UP
VCU and Duquesne will square off again on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. in Pittsburgh, Pa.