Duke Takes Down First-Place Virginia Tech

Saturday, October 18

Blacksburg, Va.

6:00 p.m.

Duke University

Virginia Tech

Duke Falls 3-0 At North Carolina In Defensive Struggle

Duke Takes Down First-Place Virginia Tech

10/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball

By: Duke Sports Information

BLACKSBURG, Va. ? Jourdan Norman put down 12 kills on 20 attacks and added three blocks to lead Duke to a 3-1 (25-17, 25-20, 21-25, 25-13) win over first-place Virginia Tech Saturday afternoon in Cassell Coliseum.

Norman made just one attack error against the Hokies (16-4, 7-2 ACC), who entered the match with the ACC's best in-conference record. The win capped a weekend sweep for the Blue Devils (15-6, 6-3 ACC) who defeated Virginia on Friday night.

Norman's performance produced a match-high .550 hitting percentage for the senior who topped the .400 mark for the 10th time this season. The 5-11 middle blocker went 4-for-4 in Duke's first-set win and did not commit an error over the final two frames. After putting together a .393 hitting percentage as a junior in 2007, Norman boasts a team-leading .324 clip this season. She also ran her season blocks total to 99 to add to her school-record career total of 571.

Freshman setter Kellie Catanach directed the Blue Devils to 44 kills against the Hokies at an average of 11 per set. The 6-1 Tampa, Fla., product tossed up 37 assists while also recording her eighth double-double of the year.

And while Norman was the only Blue Devil to reach double figures in the four-set affair, Catanach allowed senior Sue Carls to follow a 20-kill outing on Friday with nine more against the Hokies on Saturday. Both Rachael Moss and Sophia Dunworth also got in on the action with eight kills apiece, while Becci Burling finished with nine.

In addition to her eight kills, Moss also put down five service aces for the second straight match, which equals a career-high two-match total for the 5-10 junior outside hitter. Moss, who leads the ACC with an average of 0.48 aces per set, also had a combined 10 aces in two matches as a sophomore when she put down a career-high six against No. 13 Purdue to follow a four-ace outing against Winthrop.

Duke managed to hold Virginia Tech to a .104 hitting percentage by forcing 28 attack errors, which was the second-most faults committed by the Hokies in a four-set affair this season. Kristen Cunningham was Virginia Tech's top offensive contributor with 11 kills, as Duke managed to shut down sophomore middle blocker Felicia Willoughby. Willoughby, who entered the match with a .401 hitting percentage, hit just .056 against the Blue Devils after connecting on just six of her 18 attack.

Additionally, Duke allowed Virginia Tech to hit just two service aces, which was a season-low for the Hokies. Virginia Tech led the ACC with an average of 1.80 aces per set heading into Saturday's match, but saw that mark drop to 1.70 after dropping in two against Duke.

Duke's libero, Claire Smalzer, had much to do with the strong defensive effort as she had just one receiving error on the night while picking up 24 digs. Along with Smalzer, Moss and senior Aana Wherry were sound in their passing and combined for 63 service receptions and just two errors.

“We did a great job today of serving and controlling the ball, and that gave us an opportunity to be successful,” Duke head coach Jolene Nagel said. “There was great energy on the court as well as on the sidelines, and it was a team effort by all. Returning to Durham this week after two road wins in the ACC is a great feeling for our team.”

Next up for the Blue Devils is a pair of home matches against Maryland and Boston College on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, in Cameron Indoor Stadium. It will be the first time Duke has played at home since Oct. 4 and the first time this season that Duke has seen either team. Both matches will begin at 7 p.m.