For 17 years the volleyball team dominated UNC-Charlotte (6-5) in every match it had played. The streak, which began in 1981, ended last night when Duke lost to the 49ers in a five-game decision, 13-15, 15-6, 13-15, 15-10, 12-15.
The Blue Devils fell to 5-5 overall with the loss, which capped off a three-match losing streak that began at the Outback Invitational at Georgia.
Duke had previously lost only a total of four games to the 49ers over the nine-match series, and the last time these two teams went to five games occurred 10 years ago. In volleyball, if the teams split the first four games, they play a tiebreaking fifth, which utilizes rally scoring. In rally scoring, you do not have to be serving to score, and consequently every mental mis-step is magnified.
Mental errors were the focus for improvement after the Georgia contest at the Outback Invitational. Before last night, errors, mental or otherwise, always seemed to work in Duke's favor against UNC-C. Last season the 49ers only took one game from Duke, with 49er setter Ozlem Ayture contributing 20 assists and 17 digs in the loss.
Ayture had 52 assists last night, complementing outside hitter Christy Galvin's match-high 27 kills and 19 digs. UNC-C's hitting percentage was just .135 during the match.
For the Blue Devils, junior Sarah Peifer pounded a team-high 24 kills and 20 digs. Middle blocker Jami Ediger recorded 18 kills, and sophomore setter Nina Rybak added 48 assists. Duke's hitting percentage was .207.
The Blue Devils will open ACC play against defending conference champion Maryland at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Cameron.
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