Sept. 14, 2013
DURHAM, N.C. — Despite recording a season-high 14 blocks, the South Carolina volleyball team fell in four sets to Duke on Saturday by the scores of 22-25, 25-20, 17-25 and 21-25 to wrap up play in the Duke Invitational at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
It’s the most blocks for a Gamecock squad in a match since posting 14 on Nov. 26, 2008 at home against Florida. With the loss South Carolina drops to 5-4 on the season. The Blue Devils are now 7-2 overall.
Freshman middle blocker Jacqy Angermiller led the way at the net, recording a career-high nine block assists. Sophomore setter Kellie McNeil and sophomore Darian Dozier, who were both named to the All-Tournament Team, added five and four blocks, respectively, while senior outside hitter Juliette Thévenin also had four blocks. Thévenin tallied a team-high 15 kills. Sophomore Sarah Blomgren chipped in 10 kills, and freshman KoKo Atoa-Williams and Dozier finished with seven and six, respectively. McNeil distributed 24 assists, and junior Michaela Christiaansen collected 16 digs.
Sophomore middle blocker Elizabeth Campbell finished with 25 kills to lead four Blue Devils with double-figure kills. Outside hitter Jeme Obeime (17), outside hitter Emily Sklar (13) and middle blocker Chelsea Cook (10) also reached double figures. Junior setter Maggie Deichmeister dished out 56 assists, while senior Ali McCurdy finished with a match-high 18 digs.
South Carolina hit .209 as a team and finished with 43 kills, while the Blue Devils hit .258 with 71 kills. The Gamecocks out blocked Duke 14-5, and Duke held a 58-45 advantage in digs.
Duke built a 17-12 lead in the first set, but following a timeout the Gamecocks regrouped and went on a quick 6-0 run capped by a Thévenin kill to take their first lead of the frame at 18-17. After the Blue Devils tied it on an Obeime kill, the teams battled through two more ties, with the last being 22-22. Duke then scored the next three points to win the set.
The Gamecocks evened the match at 1-1 with a strong second set. South Carolina made its presence felt at the net as it recorded eight blocks in the frame. The Gamecocks, who also outhit the Blue Devils .226-.114, held a lead for most of the set and didn’t allow Duke to go on any lengthy runs. After the Blue Devils pulled to within 15-14 on an Obeime kill, the Gamecocks went on a 3-1 run, including kills by Thévenin and McNeil, to take an 18-15 lead. South Carolina didn’t allow Duke to get closer than two points the rest of the way.
The Blue Devils took control of the third set early, building a 10-2 lead behind four kills from Campbell. With Duke leading 21-10, the Gamecocks made a push to get back into the set, going on a 7-2 run to cut the Blue Devils’ lead to 23-17. However, Duke scored the next two points to win the frame. The Blue Devils hit .455 for the set with 18 kills.
The teams played to an 11-11 tie in the fourth set, but a Campbell kill gave the Blue Devils a 12-11 lead they would not relinquish. Duke went on to build a 19-15 lead, and the Gamecocks made one last rally to get to within 19-17 but they were unable to pull any closer.
The Gamecocks return to action next weekend as they host the Carolina Classic presented by Courtyard Marriott. South Carolina will face Western Carolina on Friday at 7 p.m. and Robert Morris (1 p.m.) and Presbyterian (7 p.m.) on Saturday at the Volleyball Competition Facility.
Season tickets for South Carolina’s home dates are on sale. Adult season tickets are $25, while youth 17 and under can get their tickets for $10. For more information, contact the South Carolina Ticket Office at 800-4SC-FANS or visit the ticket office homepage at Gamecocksonline.com.
