Sklar Powers Duke Past Wake Forest in Straight Sets

Wednesday, September 23

Durham, N.C.

6:30 PM

Duke University

Wake Forest

Sklar Powers Duke Past Wake Forest in Straight Sets

9/23/2015 8:51:00 PM | Volleyball

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – Senior outside hitter Emily Sklar knocked down 23 kills to lead the Duke volleyball team to a 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-22) victory over Wake Forest to open ACC play Wednesday evening in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Sklar's performance marked her second 20-kill effort of the season after she amassed a career-high 27 against then-No. 3 Stanford Sept. 11. The San Jose, Calif., native was dominant against the Demon Deacons, committing just three attack errors on 40 attempts for a .500 hitting percentage. Sklar also added five digs and three blocks in the victory.

After tonight's effort, Sklar has 1,271 career kills to rank 10th all-time in program history.

Freshman middle blocker Leah Meyer added eight kills of her own, hitting .400 while chipping in a match-high six blocks and a service ace. Sklar and Meyer combined for 31 kills, nearly matching Wake Forest's team total of 33.

The Demon Deacons' Kylie Long contributed 13 kills to lead Wake Forest, while libero Caroline Wolf picked up a match-high 15 digs.

Duke (6-5) put down 20 kills in the first set but had to rally late to capture the 25-23 victory. Down 21-19, the Blue Devils won six of the final eight points to grab the 1-0 overall lead. Sklar added three of her eight first-set kills in that stretch, including the final point.

The Blue Devils stormed out to a 7-2 advantage in the second set and never trailed during the frame. Meyer and Sklar added five kills each to power the offense, while Duke's defense kept Wake Forest to a -.032 hitting percentage.

Sklar tallied 10 of Duke's 18 kills in the third frame, a 25-22 Duke win. The Blue Devils fell behind 12-7 early, but used three-straight Sklar kills to spark a 6-0 rally. The two teams proceeded to trade points until back-to-back Jessi Bartholomew kills established an 18-16 Blue Devil advantage. Wake Forest fought back to tie the set 20-20 before Jordan Tucker and Maggie Deichmeister teamed up for the block. Meyer followed with a solo stop to give Duke separation. Duke then finished the match on a Wake Forest service error and Christina Vucich and Meyer block.

Freshman defensive specialist Kelli Kalinoski totaled a team-high nine digs, while libero Sasha Karelov had seven and sett Emma Paradiso contributed six. Redshirt senior setter Maggie Deichmeister chipped in with 25 assists, four kills, two digs and two blocks as well.

Duke returns to action Friday, September 25. The Blue Devils play host to Virginia at 6:30 p.m., in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

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