George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
Duquesne
Volleyball Dispatches Duquesne, 3-1
11/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 6, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC -- The GW Volleyball team downed Duquesne, 3-1, Friday night in an A-10 match at GW's Charles E. Smith Center. The Colonials won by the scores, 25-18, 21-25, 25-15, 25-21, on Kids Night. GW combined to hit .281 (61 kills - 20 errors - 146 attempts) for the match while holding the Dukes to a .212 (46-18-132) attack percentage. The victory was GW's 11th win in its last 15 outings and 20th victory of the year surpassing its 2008 season total of 19. The triumph was the Colonials' second over the Dukes this season and also guarantees GW a berth in the six-team A-10 Championship tournament.
GW was led by A-10 Defensive Player of the Week, Leah Hill who scored 21 points ona match-high 19 kills in 40 swings for a .400 attack percentage. Freshman Lauren Whyte contributed 18 points on 16 kills and 11 digs for her fifth double-double of the season. Katie Butz added 16 kills and three block assists for 17.5 points. Candace Silva-Martin added 22 digs and Alex Coward pounded three service aces. Setter Alyssa Valeentine assisted on 52 of GWs's 61 kills (85 percent) and added 10 digs.
Duquesne (14-13, 4-8 A-10) was led by Sara Scheirman's 18.5 points on a team-high 16 kills and 12 digs. Ashley Buse added 11.5 points on 10 kills, four digs and three block assists. Setter Chelsea Tillotson assisted on 36 of Duquesne's 46 kills in the match.
The first set was evenly played through a 10-10 tie before a Duquesne ball-handling error and kill from Hill ignited a 9-3 GW run for a 19-13 advantage. GW used a kill from Butz to win the set, 25-18. Set two saw teams trade leads four time and and battle through eight ties, the last coming at 15-15 before Duquesne's Nicole Wright smashed a kill that game the Duks the lead for good at 16-15. Another Hill kill brought GW to within two at 23-21 before consecutive GW attack errors gave away the set, 25-21.
The third set was knotted at 8-8 before a kill by GW's Katie Zulandt began a 9-2 Colonials run resulting in a 17-11 lead. The Colonials coasted from there for the 25-15 romp. The fourth set saw GW take a 12-5 lead aided by five Duquesne errors. The Dukes rallied to within one down 19-18 before another Hill kill and a pair of aces from Abby Syverson gave the Colonials some breathing room at 22-18. Butz eventually smashed the set-winner to end the match, 25-21.
GW (20-8, 7-4 A-10) next hosts Charlotte (15-13, 6-6 A-10) Sunday in a 1 p.m. match on `Senior Day' at Smith Center. It will mark the final home appearances for GW seniors Madelyn Bagby, Katie Butz and Abby Syverson. Earlier this season, GW fell to Charlotte, 3-1, at UNCC's Halton Arena on Oct. 17. The GW-Charlotte match will be available on www.GWsports.com GameTracker and via live video streaming.
