Completed Event: Volleyball versus California on November 28, 2025 , Loss , 2, to, 3
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Volleyball Opens ACC Play Against Wake Forest
9/17/2009 12:45:00 PM | Volleyball
DURHAM, N.C. - The Duke volleyball team opens ACC play this weekend with a road match against Wake Forest as part of the Demon Deacons' Black and Gold Challenge this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 17-18, in Winston-Salem, N.C.
After opening against Wake Forest (0-9, 0-0 ACC) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Duke will face Liberty (4-5) at 10 a.m. on Saturday before wrapping up the three-match tournament against Appalachian State (3-7) at 4:30 p.m. Fans can access live stats from each match at the Black and Gold Challenge Tournament Homepage, available at the following link:
http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/09-black-gold-invite.html
Duke (8-2, 0-0 ACC) comes into Friday's match after going 3-1 last week with wins over Colorado State (3-1), College of Charleston (3-1) and Loyola (3-0) and a loss to No. 1 Penn State (0-3). One of the ACC's hottest teams, Duke recently ended a six-match win streak with the loss to the top-ranked Nittany Lions. During its first 10 matches, the Blue Devils have swept four opponents on the way to the second most wins in the conference.
Duke brings one of the ACC's most efficient offenses to Wake Forest's home court this weekend. Led by outside hitters Rachael Moss and Sophia Dunworth, setter Kellie Catanach and middle blockers Becci Burling, Amanda Robertson and Christiana Gray, Duke ranks second in the conference with a .278 hitting percentage. Duke has also been just as good defensively, holding opponents to a .139 clip.
The key to Duke's success has been depth and a balanced offense. Catanach has equally distributed the ball to whoever is on the court, allowing five of her teammates to already surpass 100 attacks this season. Dunworth and Burling have been the top two options, taking 211 and 192 attacks, respectively, but it has been difficult for opponents to key in one just one attacker. While those two are each averaging at least 2.50 kills per set, opponents also have to be wary of Moss (2.68 kills/set), Robertson (1.94 kills/set), Gray (1.62 kills/set) and senior Brittany Staffeil (2.23 kills/set), who has worked her way into the lineup with a .338 hitting percentage early in the season.
On the defensive end, Duke's trio of Burling, Robertson and Gray form one of the top blocking units in the ACC. Those three have flashed game-changing ability with their presence at the net and have helped hold eight opponents to a sub-.200 hitting percentage. When teams do manage to get past those three, libero Claire Smalzer and defensive specialist Nailah Waterfield have been there to clean up. Though Duke's blocking has cut into Smalzer's numbers, the 5-11 junior has still managed to collect at least 10 digs in six matches this season. Waterfield, meanwhile, has made an immediate impact, appearing in 29 sets while picking up 52 digs, including a career high 16 in three sets against Loyola.
Wake Forest will be ready for Duke, however, as last year the Demon Deacons stunned Duke with a 3-2 victory in Winston-Salem. Duke enacted revenge with a 3-1 win in Cameron Indoor Stadium later in the season, but will still face a challenging task in taking down Wake Forest on its home court in Reynolds Gym.
Following the Black and Gold Challenge, Duke heads north to take on Maryland and Boston College on Friday and Sunday, Sept. 25-27. Duke opens against the Terrapins on Friday at 7 p.m. and follows with a noon bout against the Eagles on Sunday.
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