ST. LOUIS – In a match that featured 31 ties and 14 lead changes, the Billikens fell to Duquesne Saturday afternoon, dropping a 3-2 road contest to the Dukes.
 
Similar to the Billikens' Friday night match against the Dukes, SLU (9-10, 2-5 A-10) came out strong to start the match, recording 15 kills through the first 25 points while holding the home team to eight. Behind a hitting percentage of .303, SLU took the opening set, 25-16, while Kayla Richardson and Delaney Rice recorded four kills apiece.
 
Despite its slow start, Duquesne answered in the second set with a .202 hitting percentage while limiting the Billikens to .167 swinging, to take it 25-23 and even the match up 1-1.
 
Four lead changes defined set three, and a 4-0 run sparked a Billikens' comeback to give them the 17-14 lead midway through the third set. SLU fought off the Dukes' attack and secured a 25-22 win
 
With a chance to close out the match in set four, a kill from Richardson started SLU off strong, but 10 attack errors plagued the Billikens the rest of the way, giving the set to the Dukes to tie the match up at two sets, apiece.
 
The Billikens jumped out to a 6-1 lead off a 4-0 run early in the fifth set, but similar to Friday night's script, the home team rallied, putting together a 20-18 win to take the weekend series.
 
For the second-straight contest, Kayla Richardson led the Billikens with 15 kills, while Delaney Rice and Josie Newcom added 14 apiece, a career-high for the freshman.
 
Addie Lyon exploded for 49 of SLU's 59 assists, a career-high for the transfer setter.
 
The Billikens will look to get back on track next weekend, hosting the Fordham Rams Friday and Saturday.
 
Final Results
SLU 2, DUQ 3 (25-16, 23-25, 25-22, 15-25, 18-20)
Oct. 7, 2023 | Pittsburgh, Pa. (UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse)