Duke Falls in Four Sets at Notre Dame

Sunday, November 17

South Bend, Ind.

1 PM

Duke University

9-18,5-11ACC

Notre Dame

10-15,3-13ACC

Duke

Notre Dame

Duke Falls in Four Sets at Notre Dame

11/17/2024 5:01:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Duke volleyball fell to Notre Dame, 3-1 (27-29, 25-20, 20-25, 20-25), at Purcell Pavilion, on Sunday, Nov. 17.

The Blue Devils were led by Kerry Keefe, who logged a season-high 21 digs while also adding a team-high 16 kills. Grace Penn tallied 44 assists to finish with at least 40 assists for the third time in the last five matches for Duke.

Ngozi Iloh finished with a .522 hitting percentage, to help Duke secure an overall hitting percentage of .226.

The Blue Devils recorded five service aces, one shy of Notre Dame's six, and the Fighting Irish out-blocked Duke, 11-7, for the match.

How it Happened

Duke and Notre Dame battled in a back-and-forth first set, with the hosts eventually claiming the opening set, 29-27. Neither team opened up a lead of more than two points until Duke edged ahead, 8-5, following a kill by Taylor Williams. Duke extended its lead to six at 13-7 and 18-12 before a surge brought Notre Dame within three, 23-20. The Fighting Irish reeled off four straight points to stake claim to the first set point of the frame, 24-23, before eventually securing the first set, 29-27.
The two teams continued their battle in the second set, with Duke bouncing back with a 25-20 victory. There was only one lead of more than two points through the early portion of the frame, when Duke led 6-3. Notre Dame leveled the score at 7-7 and took a two-point lead at both 13-11 and 14-12. The Blue Devils responded with three consecutive points to go back ahead, 15-14. Duke and Notre Dame traded points to tied the score at both 16-16 and 17-17, before the Blue Devils snapped the streak with a 19-17 lead and never looked back en route to a 25-20 win in the second set.
Notre Dame picked up 25-20 victories in each of the next two sets to take home the victory. The Fighting Irish never trailed in the third set, taking an early seven-point lead, 13-6, and holding Duke at arm's length for the remainder of the frame. The Blue Devils picked up the first two points of the fourth set, and led by four, 12-8, before Notre Dame responded with seven of the next eight points to take a 15-13 lead. The Fighting Irish never trailed again to finish out the match.

Notables

Duke falls to 9-18 on the season and 5-11 in ACC play.
Duke had its three-match winning streak over the Fighting Irish snapped. Notre Dame moves ahead in the overall series, 12-11.
Duke out-hit Notre Dame, finishing with a .226 hitting percentage compared to the Fighting Irish's .216.
Kerry Keefe tallied a team-high 16 kills, her eighth match in the past nine attempts with 10-plus kills. Keefs also led the Blue Devils with 21 total digs, a season-high for the graduate.
Grace Penn dished 44 assists, giving her at least 40 assists in three of Duke's last five matches. Across her last six matches, Penn has 183 assists (30.5 assists/match).
Notre Dame narrowly out-blocked Duke, 11-7.
Four of Notre Dame's six services aces came in the fourth and decisive set.

Next Match

Duke returns home from its four-match road trip, hosting No. 7 Stanford on Friday, Nov. 22. The match begins at 6:30 p.m., live on ACC Network Extra, and will serve as the program's Spike Out Cancer match.

For more information on Duke volleyball, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "DukeVB".

Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu

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