Blue Devils Fall to Spartans

Saturday, September 19

Durham, N.C.

6:30 PM

Duke University

Michigan State

Blue Devils Fall to Spartans

9/19/2015 8:52:00 PM | Volleyball

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – The Duke volleyball team fell to Michigan State 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-15) Saturday evening in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The Spartans totaled 49 kills on 100 attempts to hit .364 for the match. Brooke Kranda added 14 kills while Holly Toliver contributed 12 as both players hit over .340.

The Blue Devils were unable to match the Spartans' efficiency. Duke (5-5) put down 42 kills, but committed 20 errors and hit .183.

“We certainly disappointed with the outcomes of the matches this weekend,” said head coach Jolene Nagel. “I believe in my heart that we will be a much better team as a result as we start the ACC. We had a challenging schedule in the preseason and I think we'll see it payoff for us down the road.”

Michigan State (8-3) won the first four points in the match and Duke could not close within four the remainder of the opening set. Tolliver and Kranda each had four kills as MSU totaled 19 on .425 hitting.

Duke found itself behind six points midway through the second frame before rallying to cut the margin to three points. Sophomore Cadie Bates knocked down a kill to make it a two-point margin, 21-19, but Kranda responded with a kill of her own. The Blue Devils were unable to come any closer, surrendering the frame, 25-22.

The two teams split the first 18 points of the third set, battling to a 9-9 tie. A kill coupled with back-to-back Duke attack errors put MSU up 12-9 and the Spartans went on to win 13 of the match's final 19 points.

Senior Emily Sklar led all players with 15 kills to go along with seven digs and two blocks. Junior Alyse Whitaker added nine kills, posting a .412 hitting percentage.

Libero Sasha Karelov paced the Blue Devils defensively, picking up 17 digs.

Duke opens ACC play Wednesday, Sept. 23, welcoming Wake Forest to Cameron Indoor Stadium for a 6:30 p.m., opening serve.

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