PITTSBURGH – The Saint Louis University volleyball team fell to Duquesne Friday night, dropping a hard-fought, 3-2, match to the Dukes on the road.
 
The loss drops the Billikens to 9-9 on the season and 2-4 in Atlantic 10 Conference play. 
 
Set one was dominated by SLU, who coming off a midweek loss to Loyola Chicago, was firing on all cylinders. Kayla Richardson led the charge, with seven kills on .714 hitting through the Billikens' first 25 kills to help them take set one, 25-20. 
 
In set two, the momentum swung in favor of the home team. With seven service aces leading the way, Duquesne also tallied 11 kills on .286 hitting to even the match at one set apiece. 
 
Despite the Dukes earning the first point in the third set, the Billikens answered with a 4-0 run to take the early lead. The match proceeded in back-and-forth fashion until 6-0 scoring run gave SLU the 16-13 advantage. Behind .345 hitting, the Billikens were able to muscle out the third set win, 25-17.
 
Duquesne evened the match up with a 25-18 fourth set win, forcing a decisive fifth set with a .323 swinging percentage leading the way. 
 
The match was decided in a tight fifth set, which saw four lead changes, but the final score of 18-16 ended in favor of Duquesne. 

Richardson led the Billikens' offensive efforts with a career-high 16 kills while Delaney Rice and Josie Newcom added 14 and 11, respectively. On the defensive side of the ball, Trinity Luckett tallied 2.5 blocks and Carlie Rodgers recorded a season-high 31 digs. 
 
The Billikens will be back in action Saturday afternoon for their series finale against the Dukes. First serve is set for 1 p.m. (CT).
 
Final Results
SLU 3, DUQ 2 (25-20, 12-25, 25-17, 18-25, 16-18)
Friday, Oct. 6, 2023 | Pittsburgh, Pa. (UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse)