SPORTS

The Wildcats celebrate their win over Duquesne earlier in the season.

PITTSBURGH — The Davidson volleyball team fell 3-0 to Duquesne University on Friday afternoon, ending their historic 2021 fall season in the Atlantic 10’s quarterfinal round.

The ‘Cats struggled to find a steady momentum throughout, ending the match with a .104 attacking percentage compared to Duquesne’s .168 attacking efforts. Davidson did win defensively at the net however, making 11 total blocks compared to the Dukes’ six. Anela Davis and Sola Omonije led offensively for Davidson, finishing with .615 and .429 attacking percentages, respectively, while Bella Brady had the match-high 16 digs.

Despite losing the first set 26-24, the frame was a back-and-forth affair. After being tied up through 14-all, the Dukes took hold of a 9-3 run to maintain a commanding 23-17 lead. With the deficit ahead, the ‘Cats earned the serve back after a kill on the outside from rookie Isabel Decker that sent Brady to the service line. From there, the Wildcats put together an unanswered, seven-point run to tie up the set at 23 points apiece. With a kill from senior Hattie Rodriguez, Davidson had set point and a win within reach, but the Dukes bounced back to close out the set with back-to-back kills and a block at the net. 

Over the final two sets, Duquesne hit .262 and .152 to maintain control of the match as the ‘Cats ultimately fell 3-0.

Davidson concludes the 2021 fall season with a 14-13 overall record, marking the program’s first season above .500 since 2013.

Stay up to date with Davidson volleyball in the off season at davidsonwildcats.com.