BRONX, N.Y. – After a thrilling conclusion to Friday's first meeting between the Rams and Duquesne, a resurgent effort by the Dukes Saturday saw Fordham University volleyball fall 3-0. Now 10-2 on the year, the Rams split the opening weekend of Atlantic 10 Conference play.
Leading the way on offense was Whitley Moody who hammered a team-best nine kills on the day, ahead of eight from Audrey Brown, and five from Nailah Jenkins. Moody would also tally 16 digs to finish as the Rams leader in that category as well, while Whitney Woodrow handled the setting duties with 27 helpers.
Mallory Lipski would contribute 14 receptions to the Rams' dig totals, ahead of nine from Lauryn Sweeney who also drilled four kills, and at the tape, it was Brown leading the way with a solo block and two block assists.
Trading the first ten points of the contest, Duquesne would take a five-point lead at 13-8 and would keep the set out of reach from there, winning by that same margin to take the opener. In set two, Fordham kept it much closer despite going down early in the frame, using a 5-1 run during the middle portions of the set to draw level at 15-all. The Rams would go up by as much as three late in the set but a strong rally by the visitors gave the Dukes a 25-23 win.
Duquesne would start the third set strong as well, taking the first three points, and going on to double up their advantage later on. From there, the Dukes would maintain their advantage for the remainder of the contest to take the match in straight sets.
Fordham volleyball will make its first road trip of the conference season next time out when it heads to Dayton for a pair of matches against the Flyers on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
