Duke Tops Charlotte 3-0 for Sixth Straight Win

Tuesday, September 7

Durham, N.C.

7:00 p.m.

Duke University

Charlotte

Duke Tops Charlotte 3-0 for Sixth Straight Win

9/7/2010 9:21:00 PM | Volleyball

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – Kellie Catanach posted her third straight double-double with 30 assists and 14 digs to lead Duke past Charlotte 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-15) on Tuesday evening in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Catanach, who ranks second in the ACC with 262 assists, was key in a defensive showing that saw Duke (6-1) hold Charlotte to a .017 hitting percentage. The 49ers (4-3) had trouble getting around a Duke defense led by freshman libero Ali McCurdy, who posted 17 digs to reach double figures for the sixth straight match.

The Blue Devils posted six blocks in the win, including three each from middle blockers Becci Burling, Amanda Robertson and Christiana Gray. Robertson led the offense with 10 kills on 17 attacks and was just one dig shy of recording her first double-double of the year.

“I thought the team did a good job of doing their jobs out there tonight as individuals, and therefore helping the team be able to be successful together,” said head coach Jolene Nagel, who has led Duke to six straight wins. “I liked the way we served tough and put pressure on them with our serve. It didn't always score an ace, but it gave us a better opportunity to transition and make things happen.”

The Blue Devils dropped in three service aces and committed only two service errors on 74 attempts. Catanach, Robertson and junior Sophia Dunworth each had an ace in the win, while the team surrendered only one ace to the 49ers. Dunworth, who had at least 10 points in five straight matches entering Tuesday's bout, extended that streak to six with nine kills and her seventh ace of the season.

Duke used its defense to shut down the 49ers in the opening frame, holding Charlotte to a -.070 hitting percentage to win 25-13. McCurdy led the team with six digs, while Robertson totaled five and Smalzer and Catanach each posted four. Dunworth was Catanach's favorite target and connected on five of her 15 attacks.

The Blue Devil defense stayed strong through the second set as Duke posted four blocks – including two apiece from the middle blocking trio of Burling, Robertson and Gray – to hold Charlotte to a .103 hitting percentage. Dunworth and Robertson were unstoppable, totaling four kills each on a combined .636 hitting percentage. Charlotte hung tough early and battled to a 7-7 tie, but then gave up an 8-3 run that gave the Blue Devils enough cushion to cruise to the 25-16 win.

Charlotte failed to get past Duke's defense in the final game, hitting just .026 as the Blue Devils won the finale 25-15. McCurdy came up big yet again, collecting six digs to give her 17 for the match. Catanach directed the offense to a .286 hitting percentage with 18 assists while Robertson, Smalzer, Burling and Megan Hendrickson all contributed at least three kills. Defensive specialists Alex Sall and Nailah Waterfield also worked their way into the final set and picked up three digs apiece.

Duke will now prepare for the 2010 Duke Invitational in Cameron Indoor Stadium where the Blue Devils will host No. 12 Minnesota, Delaware and N.C. Central on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10-11. Duke opens the tournament against Delaware on Friday before playing two matches on Saturday against N.C. Central and Minnesota.

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