08/30/2008 - Duke Sports Information

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Rachael Moss had 18 kills on a .484 hitting percentage to lead the Duke volleyball team to a 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-15) win over Tennessee State Saturday afternoon on day two of the Purdue Mortar Board Premier in Holloway Gymnasium.

Moss, who was named to the all-tournament team, had just three errors on a team-high 31 attacks in the first win of the season for the Blue Devils (1-2, 0-0 ACC). Sophomore middle blocker Becci Burling also turned in nine kills on a .533 clip to help Duke compile a .311 team hitting percentage, which was the highest of the weekend for the Blue Devils.

Duke also hammered eight service aces with Moss and freshman Sophia Dunworth putting down two each. Duke’s other three freshmen – Kellie Catanach, Kayla Kirk and Amanda Robertson also had one ace apiece, as did sophomore setter Alex Sall. Catanach, Sall and junior Christina Falcone combined for 33 assists in the three-set match with Catanach leading the way with 23.

Duke managed to hold Tennessee State (0-3) to a negative hitting percentage of -.036, thanks in part to seven Blue Devil blocks. The Tigers managed just 18 kills compared to 21 attack errors and had just one player hit over .040. Yamari P-Collazo provided the bulk of Tennessee State’s offense with five kills on nine attacks and a .444 clip.

Blue Devil senior middle blocker Jourdan Norman added five more blocks in pursuit of Duke’s all-time blocks record and brought her career total to 486, which is just 68 shy of Duke's career record.

The Blue Devils made quick work of the Tigers in the first set on the way to a 25-15 win and a 1-0 lead. Moss was unstoppable in the opener and connected on nine of her 12 attacks while making just one error. Burling was just as effective in the middle, collecting five kills on eight errorless attacks along with a block. The team battled to an early 4-4 tie before Duke broke it open with four straight points on the way to a seven-point lead at 16-9. The Blue Devils reached the 20-point ahead 20-15 and ended the opener with five straight points, including two kills from Moss and another from senior Sue Carls.

Set two saw much of the same as the Blue Devils hit .310 on the way to a 25-14 victory. Moss, Norman and Dunworth added three kills each, while Catanach and Falcone platooned at setter and served up six assists apiece. Duke held Tennessee State to seven kills and a -.030 hitting percentage thanks to sophomore libero Claire Smalzer, who picked up six of her team-high 10 digs in the second frame along with four errorless service receptions. With the offense and defense clicking, the Blue Devils built on a three-point lead with a 10-2 run that put them ahead 23-12. Robertson came through with one of her two kills in the match to put Duke ahead 24-12 before a Tennessee State attack error sewed up the 2-0 Blue Devil lead.

Duke kept rolling into the third set and banked a .294 hitting percentage while holding the Tigers under .000 for the third straight frame. The Blue Devils put up 18 points before Tennessee State was able to reach double figures and outscored the Tigers 7-2 on the way to the match-clinching point. In line with her performance in the first two sets, Moss locked up the win with her sixth kill of the set. Sall stepped in as the setter in the third set and came through on four of her eight set attempts.

Duke will play on its home court in Cameron Indoor Stadium for the first time this season on Frday, Sept. 5 at the 11th annual Duke Invitational. After the tournament opens with an 11 a.m. bout pitting Georgia against Colgate, the Blue Devils will host Seton Hall at 1 p.m. The Duke Invitational will continue at 5:30 p.m. with Seton Hall taking on Georgia before Duke concludes the first day with a 7:30 p.m. meeting with Colgate. Day two will follow on Saturday with a 1 p.m. battle between Seton Hall and Colgate before the Blue Devils take on Georgia at 3 p.m.

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