McCurdy, Dunworth Lead Duke Past Delaware 3-0

Friday, September 10

Durham, N.C.

5:00 p.m.

Duke University

Minnesota vs. N.C. Central

McCurdy, Dunworth Lead Duke Past Delaware 3-0

9/10/2010 9:07:00 PM | Volleyball

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – Ali McCurdy picked up a career-high 29 digs in only three sets as Duke swept Delaware 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-17) on Friday evening during the first day of the Duke Invitational in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

In the best three-set performance by a Duke libero since Jenny Shull's 31 digs in 2006, McCurdy matched her career high of 22 digs before the end of the second set. The freshman from Tampa, Fla. (Plant), recorded 11 digs in the opening game, 12 more in the second and six in the final frame as Duke (7-1) held Delaware to a .135 hitting percentage.

McCurdy's 29 digs, which are the most in three sets by a Blue Devil under the new NCAA 25-point scoring format, marked the seventh straight match that she has reached double digit digs and the third time in the past four matches that she has reached 20 digs. Duke has won seven straight during that span with consecutive sweeps in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

"I thought the team came out and played very aggressive tonight, which is something they talked about wanting to do as a team," said Duke head coach Jolene Nagel. "As a coach, I continue to see improvement in our blocking and defense, and that's something we hope to keep progressing with throughout the season."

While McCurdy led the defense, setter Kellie Catanach guided the offense with 45 assists and senior Becci Burling and junior Sophia Dunworth combined for 23 kills. Dunworth recorded her first double-double of the year with 13 digs, while Burling hit .360 with three blocks, a service ace and a team-high 15.5 points. Middle blockers Amanda Robertson and Christiana Gray were also efficient for the Blue Devils as they each turned in eight kills and a combined .483 hitting percentage.

Delaware outside hitter Alissa Alker led the Blue Hens (6-2) with 11 kills on 38 attacks while Katie Dennehy turned in nine kills. Blue Hens libero Greta Gibbony also surpassed 20 digs and did not commit a single receiving error.
Duke jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the opening frame and led by as much as eight points, but Delaware closed the gap late with a 6-1 run that erased what was previously a 23-17 Blue Devil lead. Duke managed to sneak in a kill by Megan Hendrickson to reach set point, but the Blue Hens responded by scoring three straight to trim Duke's lead to 24-23. Following a timeout, however, the Blue Devils needed only two more attacks – both from Robertson – to close out the set with a 25-23 victory.

McCurdy, who had 11 digs in the first set, came through again with 12 more pickups in game two to lead Duke to a 25-17 win. The freshman libero helped hold Delaware to a .125 hitting percentage and made several diving stops to keep the momentum in Duke's court. The middle-blocking duo of Burling and Robertson posted four kills apiece as the Blue Devils built an early lead that reached as much as 10 points before Robertson ended the game with her sixth kill of the match.

With McCurdy frustrating the Blue Hens offense, Delaware hit away from Duke's freshman libero in the final game. The adjustment did little good, however, as the Blue Devils still managed to hold Delaware to a .095 hitting percentage with only nine kills. Duke had only five attack errors in the finale with Burling (3-for-6), Gray (4-for-8) and Robertson (2-for-3) connecting on for at least 50 percent of their attacks.

The Blue Devils will continue play at their home tournament on Saturday with showdowns against N.C. Central at 10 a.m. and No. 12 Minnesota at 7 p.m. Admission is free to all matches at the Duke Invitational.