Blue Devils Defeat Demon Deacons 3-0

Friday, October 31

Durham, N.C.

6:30 PM

Duke University

Wake Forest

Blue Devils Defeat Demon Deacons 3-0

10/31/2014 8:55:00 PM | Volleyball

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – The 21st-ranked Duke volleyball team defeated Wake Forest 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-17) Friday evening in Cameron Indoor Stadium to improve to 17-4 overall and 9-1 in the ACC.

Outside hitter Emily Sklar registered her sixth double-double of the season to lead the Blue Devils. Sklar knocked down a match-high 17 kills and added 10 digs on the night.

Middle blocker Alyse Whitaker chipped in with 14 kills, while outside hitter Jeme Obeime and rightside hitter Breanna Atkinson added seven apiece. Setter Kelsey Williams dished out 43 assists, marking her 10th match with 40-plus assists this season.

Defensively, libero Sasha Karelov the Blue Devils with 18 digs. Defensive specialist Nicole Elattrache chipped in with 11 digs to help Duke slow the Wake Forest (12-12, 2-8 ACC) offense.

Down 6-3 early in the first set, Duke scored seven straight points to take a 10-6 lead. Wake Forest fought back to tie the frame at 12-all, but the Blue Devils responded with kills from Sklar and middle blocker Jordan Tucker as well as a Williams ace. A Whitaker kill would make it 21-17 in favor of the Blue Devils before Duke scored four of the final five points to seal the 25-18 decision. Sklar knocked down six kills in the frame on .375 hitting.

The Blue Devils found themselves down 20-16 in the second set prior to a late rally. Atkinson started the comeback with a kill, added a second to cut the deficit to 21-19 and followed with an ace. Three straight Duke kills gave the Blue Devils a 23-21 lead and Sklar set up set point with her eight kill of the stanza. A bad Wake Forest set ultimately clinched Duke's 25-23 second set victory.

Duke stormed out to a 12-3 third set lead and never looked back, completing the sweep with a 25-17 win. Obeime and Whitaker tallied four kills each and Duke limited Wake Forest to a .103 hitting percentage in the set.

Jazmen Russell paced the Demon Deacon offense with 14 kills, while libero Caroline Wolf led all player with 19 digs.

Duke hits the road for Virginia Tech Sunday, Nov. 2. First serve between the Blue Devils and the Hokies is set for 1 p.m. in Blacksburg, Va.

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