Duke Tames Tigers 3-2

Friday, October 23

Clemson, S.C.

7:00 p.m.

Duke University

Clemson

10/23/2009 9:30:00 PM | Volleyball

By: Duke Sports Information

CLEMSON, S.C. - Becci Burling recorded her first double-double of the season with 14 kills and 10 blocks to lead Duke to a 3-2 (17-25, 25-16, 23-25, 25-20, 15-11) come-from-behind victory over Clemson Friday evening in Jervey Gymnasium.

Burling reached double-digit blocks for the second time this season while also extending a streak of seven straight matches with at least 10 kills. The junior middle blocker hit .355 against the Tigers (15-7, 5-5 ACC) and picked up seven of her blocks in the final two sets as Duke (18-4, 8-2 ACC) rebounded from a 2-1 deficit to win the final two games and lock up the win.

Burling was one of three Blue Devils to reach double-digit kills, joining senior Rachael Moss, who finished with a team-high 19, and sophomore Sophia Dunworth, who matched Burling with 14. Moss came up big for Duke in the last two sets, accounting for 10 kills, three blocks and five digs to help the Blue Devils overcome the near-upset.

Moss hit .350 in the match with just five attack errors. Setter Kellie Catanach looked her way a team-leading 40 times while racking up 48 assists, 14 digs and five blocks in the match. Catanach also chipped in four kills as part of her fourth double-double of the season.

Clemson entered the match hitting .259 as a team - good enough for third in the conference - but managed just a .151 hitting percentage against the Blue Devils. Duke, used a combined 17 team blocks and 17 digs from libero Claire Smalzer to force the Tigers into 34 attack errors in the five-set affair. Smalzer got the bulk of those digs in the fourth set when she picked up eight as part of a match-tying 25-20 win. Smalzer also chipped in 15 errorless service receptions to help Duke surrender just three service aces on the night.

Clemson struck first with a 25-17 win in the opening game, but Duke bounced back to tie the match at 1-1 with a 25-16 win in game two. But Clemson, led by seven kills from Lia Proctor, took game three 25-23 to come within one frame of taking down the Blue Devils. Proctor gave Duke trouble all night, finishing with a match-high 24 kills on 60 attacks.

Trailing 2-1 and one game away from a loss, Duke buckled down and posted a strong defensive effort that included five blocks and no Clemson service aces to tie the match with a 25-20 game-four victory. The Tigers hit just .179 against Duke in the fourth set and had plenty of trouble hitting past Burling, who helped out on all five of Duke's blocks, and Smalzer, who racked up eight digs. Moss provided the offense for the Blue Devils with six kills while Smalzer also did her part with one of her two service aces in the match.

With the game tied at 2-2 and one set remaining, Duke was near-perfect in the final set. Committing just one attack error, Duke was able to break open a tight game five to win the clincher 15-11. Dunworth, who was held without a kill for Duke's first 13 points, put the nail in the coffin with two consecutive kills after Clemson rallied to cut the deficit to 13-11. Dunworth put a cap on an offensive effort that saw Duke hit .417 in the final set with a 4-for-8 performance from Moss, a 3-for-6 showing from Burling and a five-dig outing from freshman Nailah Waterfield.

With the win, Duke remains one game behind No. 17 Florida State for first place in the ACC. The Blue Devils are also tied with Georgia Tech for second place in the conference and will have a shot to gain separation from the Yellow Jackets on Saturday when they head to Atlanta, Ga., for a 7 p.m. match tomorrow night.

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