NEWS

The Wildcats played at the Duke Invitational last weekend.

DURHAM, N.C. – Although Davidson took an early 2-0 match lead over Florida International on Sunday, the Panthers stormed back to win three-straight and defeat the Wildcats 3-2 on the final day of the Duke Invitational. 

Four ‘Cats recorded double-digit kills, led by Emma Slusser and Isabel Decker’s 17 and 16 kills, respectively. Melanie Tilles and Anna Withee added 13 kills apiece, while Tilles swung a team-best .364 attacking percentage.

In addition to Decker’s efforts at the net, the senior notched her third double-double of the season with 15 digs. Jordan Hummel led the ‘Cats with 20 digs of her own, while Kinsey Smith (33 ast, 13 digs) and Xuan Nguyen (25 ast, 11 digs) also dished double-doubles. 

Thanks to a .344 and .256 attacking percentage in the first and second sets, respectively, Davidson took a 2-0 lead over Panthers, before FIU rallied for a pair of two-point victories in the third and fourth sets. 

After a Slusser kill evened the fifth set at 9-9, and forced an FIU timeout, the Panthers swung the momentum in their favor for three-straight points and ultimately took the lead for good to win the fifth 15-12.

The Wildcats dropped to 2-4 on the season after their second-straight three-match weekend.

Up Next
The ‘Cats will return to the floor at crosstown foe Queens University on Friday night. Opening serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Charlotte.