Score: VCU 3, Duquesne 1 (25-20, 18-25, 25-18, 25-17)
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 3-6 (1-0 Atlantic 10), Duquesne 8-4 (0-1)
 
The short story: Senior Julia Rienks and sophomore Lara Del Core combined for 31 kills to power VCU past Duquesne in the Atlantic 10 Conference opener for both clubs Friday at the Siegel Center.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Rienks clocked a team-high 16 kills, while hitting .265, to lead the way for the Black and Gold. She added seven digs, two blocks and an ace
• Del Core supplied 15 kills, while hitting .308, to the VCU cause. She also rang up four blocks
• Sophomore middle blocker Letizia Galli also turned in a big night for the Black and Gold. She hit .471 on 17 swings and finished with 10 kills and seven blocks
• Sophomore setter Cansin Sendir handed out 43 assists and dug 14 balls for the Rams, while graduate libero Haruka Sugimoto was credited with 18 digs
• Duquesne's Emersen Schrom led all players with 17 kills

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU found its stride in the third and fourth sets, hitting .344 and .320, respectively, in those frames. The Rams did not trail on the way to a dominant, 25-18 victory in the third
• The Rams out hit the Dukes .286 to .165 overall on the night
• The Black and Gold also recorded more blocks (10-9) and digs (55-45) than Duquesne. Additionally, the Dukes were hurt by 13 service errors
• Duquesne hit .312 in a 25-18 win in the second set, but the Dukes were limited to a .116 in the other three stanzas

NOTABLE

• VCU has won 15 consecutive regular season A-10 regular season matches, dating back to last season
• Rienks needs 63 kills to reach 1,000 for her collegiate career
• Sugimoto raised her career total for 1,971 digs and needs just 29 more for 2,000 as a collegian

NEXT UP
VCU and Duquesne will meet in a rematch Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. That match will stream live on ESPN+.