Virginia Commonwealth University

Score: Duquesne 3, VCU 0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-20)
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. (UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse)
Records: VCU 9-10 (7-4 Atlantic 10), Duquesne 15-7 (6-5)
 
The short story: Senior middle blocker Nina Boledovicova and junior outside hitter Lara Del Core each provided double-digit kills for VCU, but the Rams were turned away Saturday by Duquesne in Pittsburgh.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Boledovicova spiked 10 kills, served up a pair of aces and registered a block in a 13-point effort Saturday
• Del Core also supplied 10 kills and two blocks
• Freshman middle blocker Dominika Kasinska hit .294 with eight kills for the Rams, while junior middle blocker Letizia Galli provided five blocks
• Duquesne's Emersen Schrom led all players with 12 kills 

THE DIFFERENCE

• Duquesne hit .293 in the match, while VCU hit .159. The Rams hit .103 and .162 in the second and third sets, respectively, as the Dukes pulled away
• The Dukes piled up 12 blocks in three sets

NEXT UP
VCU will return home for a three-match homestand. The Rams will host Davidson on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. The Black and Gold will also welcome Saint Louis Oct. 30-31. All three matches will stream live on ESPN+.