Score: VCU 3, Duquesne 1 (25-20, 18-25, 25-20, 25-14)
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 7-7 (4-0 Atlantic 10), Duquesne 6-6 (1-3)
 
The short story: Senior middle blocker Jasmine Knight and freshman libero Anja Kujundzic sparked VCU to a season-high fourth straight victory, as well as a regular-season sweep of Duquesne, Saturday night at the Siegel Center.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• For the second consecutive evening, Knight spiked 16 kills. The Phoenix native hit .464 on 28 swings and piled up six blocks as the Rams controlled the net
• Kujundzic supplied a career-high 35 digs, including 30 in the first three sets alone, to cement VCU's back line
• Junior outside hitter Kialah Jefferson added 12 kills and 12 digs, while graduate opposite MaKenzie Chambers chipped in with eight kills and five blocks
• Carsyn Henschen paced the Dukes with 15 kills 

THE DIFFERENCE

• Behind Knight's blocking and Kujundzic's back-row coverage, Duquesne struggled offensively. The Rams limited the Dukes to a .169 hitting percentage, including .167 in the third set and -.077 in the fourth
• VCU outblocked Duquesne 11-6 and hit .255
• The Rams dropped the hammer following a 25-18 Duquesne win in the second set. VCU hit .305 in the final two sets combined, and did not trail in either frame 

NOTABLE

• Kujundzic's 35 digs were the most by a Ram since Laryssa Goncalves recorded 38 on Oct. 30, 2007 against Radford. She averaged 7.38 digs per set in two matches this weekend
• The Rams improved to 4-0 in Atlantic 10 Conference play for the first time since 2019, when VCU eventually finished a perfect 14-0 in league action
• VCU has won 16 of its past 18 meetings with Duquesne
• Knight averaged 4.0 kills, 1.5 blocks and hit .426 in two matches against the Dukes this weekend

NEXT UP
VCU will welcome Davidson to the Siegel Center on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m.