Duke Falls to Hawaii in NCAA Tournament

SEATTLE – No. 21 Duke was unable to find its rhythm, falling 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-17) to No. 23 Hawaii in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Championship Friday evening at the University of Washington's Alaska Airlines Arena. After making the program's 19^th NCAA Tournament appearance, the Blue Devils concluded the season with a 22-8 overall record.

The Blue Devils entered the weekend ranked first in the nation in assists per set and second in kills per frame, but Duke was unable to get going versus Hawaii (22-6, 13-3 Big West). Duke totaled a season-low .050 hitting percentage and 29 kills, marking just the second time an opponent held the Blue Devils to under 40 kills this season.

“We have had a tremendous season and we just didn't put it together tonight to play like we're capable of,” said head coach Jolene Nagel. “Hawaii served tough and didn't allow us to get into system. They played great defense too, so they really controlled the tempo of the match.”

Junior outside hitter Emily Sklar led all players with 11 kills, while fellow outside hitter Jeme Obeime contributed nine. Libero Sasha Karelov ended the night with a team-high 13 digs.

Outside hitter Nikki Taylor and middle blocker Olivia Magill tallied 10 kills each to help the Hawaii effort. The Rainbow Wahine totaled 42 kills overall and outdug Duke, 53-40.

Duke could not get anything going in the opening frame, falling 25-15. The Blue Devils tallied just seven kills and committed an uncharacteristic nine attack errors. Hawaii capitalized on the opportunity and dropped 15 kills of its own, led by Taylor's five. A 13-6 Rainbow Wahine span in the middle of the set out of reach and an Olivia Magill kill sealed the decision.

The Rainbow Wahine hit .353 en route to a 25-19 second set victory. The Blue Devils' offensive output improved in the second set as Duke totaled 14 kills. However, Duke was unable to hold off Hawaii down the stretch. UH led 16-15 before mounting a 4-1 run which featured three kills. Duke could not cut the margin under four the rest of the way and Taylor clinched set with her eighth kill of the night.

Duke led the third set 2-1 early before Hawaii put together a 13-1 spurt that established a 13-3 Rainbow Wahine advantage. The Blue Devils tried to claw their way back into the set, cutting the lead late to 23-16. The effort proved too little too late as Hawaii finished off the match with a block, its 11^th of the match.

With the win, Hawaii advanced to the second round and will face the winner of tonight's match between New Hampshire and No. 3 Washington.

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