Taking your licks is all part of building a winning program.
The volleyball team finished up a torrid, early season, non-conference schedule this weekend as they fell to Nebraska and Wisconsin at home. The losses dropped the Blue Devils to 2-4 on the season and completed a run of several matches against top-notch competition as they prepare for the start of the Atlantic Coast Conference season.
On Sunday, Duke played their fourth game of the year against a ranked opponent as they lost to the 14th-ranked Badgers, 15-8, 15-6, 15-9.
The Blue Devils were able to hang with Wisconsin (7-0) for the majority of each game, only to fold down the stretch.
"I'm disappointed in our willingness to fight in competitive situations over the last two matches," head coach Linda Grensing said. "I think we started out pretty well, but I don't think we did a great job of finishing it out-in terms of our fight and desire. I think technically we did okay, but I don't think we fought through some situations."
The Duke offense produced a number of positive results as it recorded a .321 hitting percentage in the third game of the match-its best mark of the year. Sophomore Megan Irvin led the way with 13 kills and Freshmen Jami Ediger and Sarah Peifer contributed 11 and 10 kills, respectively.
One of the primary differences in the match was the Badgers' ability to continually dig the Blue Devils' shots, while Duke was not nearly as successful in reciprocating. Peifer registered the majority of the Blue Devils' digs with 14.
Wisconsin's offense was led by Kate Fitzgerald who racked up 19 kills and 14 digs on the way to a team .325 hitting percentage.
Defending national champion Nebraska came to town on Saturday night and swept Duke 15-9, 15-8, 15-7. The No. 4 Cornhuskers (6-2) were coming off a loss to North Carolina and used stifling blockers and a solid offensive attack to get back on the winning track.
Duke managed a mere .106 hitting percentage and was unable to do much in the way of stopping Nebraska, who recorded 56 kills, including 16 by Megan Korver.
Duke was led statistically by Peifer who finished with 13 kills and nine digs.
The Blue Devils now have a week to prepare for their opening ACC contests against UNC on Friday and N.C. State on Saturday, both in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
This week starts the 'real season' for Duke as results become the focus instead of level of play. The opening three weeks of the season have been designed primarily to give the Blue Devils an opportunity to test themselves against the nation's elite before heading into conference play.
"When you play solid teams, it really brings out what your weaknesses are and it gives you something to focus on," Grensing said. "I think to steady ourselves out is real important."
Grensing has used the first six matches to develop a rotation and afford an opportunity for just about everyone to see time on the floor. The result is a solid blend of youth and experience that includes three freshmen on the floor at most times and Juniors Kristen Campbell, the team's setter, and Maureen Reindl, an outside hitter, who were members of Duke's last ACC championship team.
Combining the youthful talent on the team with the court savvy of the veterans will be the key to a successful conference season. The next week will be important as the Blue Devils try and learn from the lessons of this weekend and ready themselves for battle.
"For us, this is preparation time and it is going to focus us in on what we need to buckle down on and really get accomplished," Grensing said.
They have taken a lot of abuse over the last three weeks; odds are they are ready to dish some out.
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