PITTSBURGH – Saint Louis (10-13, 4-8 A-10) fell in straight sets to Duquesne (14-10, 6-7 A-10) at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse on Friday night.
SET 1
The Billikens battled through a back-and-forth opening frame that featured four ties and two lead changes. After trailing 13-10, SLU pulled even at 18-all behind five kills from
Kayla Jansen and strong setting from
Jetta Brenning. Duquesne closed on a short run to take the set 25-21.
SET 2
Saint Louis once again stayed close throughout the second set, tying the score six different times. The Billikens used aces from
Tamia Maddox and
Vivian Kieffer to keep pace, but a late surge from the Dukes closed out another 25-21 decision.
Irmak Gokcen and
Tea Kalajdzic combined for seven kills in the frame.
SET 3
Duquesne jumped out to an early advantage in the third, but the Billikens responded with a balanced attack that featured kills from Gokcen, Rink, and
Justina Asamoa. Despite the push, the Dukes maintained control down the stretch to secure the 25-16 final.
NOTABLES
- Gokcen led Saint Louis with 10 kills and hit .286.
- Brenning posted 23 assists, seven digs, and two block assists.
- Rink added eight kills and nine digs.
- Maddox recorded 12 digs and two service aces.
- Asamoa led the Billikens at the net with four block assists.