ST. LOUIS – The Billikens snapped Duquesne's five-match winning streak with a 3-1 victory Friday night inside Chaifetz Pavilion, returning home for the first time since August.
Saint Louis dropped the opening set 25-16 before taking the next three sets, 25-20, 25-21, 25-17, to improve to 7-8 overall and 2-2 in Atlantic 10 play.
SET 1 | DUQ 25, SLU 16
The Billikens started strong, opening the match with a block from Kayla Jansen and Jetta Brenning. Duquesne responded with a 7-3 run to take an early lead.
Saint Louis battled back within two at 12-10, but the Dukes answered with a 6-0 run to take a 20-12 advantage. The Billikens were unable to close the gap as Duquesne took the opening set, 25-16.
SET 2 | SLU 25, DUQ 20
Saint Louis took its first lead of the set at 8-6 and used a balanced attack throughout the frame. The Billikens held a 12-10 advantage before Duquesne scored three straight to take a 13-12 lead. The teams continued to trade points before Saint Louis used a 5-1 run to turn a 14-14 tie into a 19-15 lead. The Billikens closed out the set, 25-20, to even the match at one set apiece.
SET 3 | SLU 25, DUQ 21
Duquesne held the lead early before Saint Louis pulled even at 9-9. The teams continued to trade points before the Billikens took their first two-point advantage at 16-14. Saint Louis extended its lead to 21-18 late in the set and controlled the remainder of the frame to take a 2-1 match lead. The Billikens hit .485 in the third set, recording 19 kills with just three errors.
SET 4 | SLU 25, DUQ 17
Saint Louis jumped out to a 5-2 lead and extended its advantage to 8-4 early in the fourth set. The Billikens then used a 9-2 run to take a 20-10 lead. Duquesne battled back within six at 21-15, but Saint Louis closed the set with four of the final six points to secure the 3-1 victory. The Billikens recorded nine blocks in the set and held Duquesne to a -.219 hitting percentage.
NOTABLES
- Tea Kalajdzic led Saint Louis with 15 kills while hitting .522.
- Anna Alexander added 12 kills and Ellie Rink recorded 10.
- Lara Zigic matched her career high with 20 digs.
- Jetta Brenning finished with 42 assists, eight kills, eight blocks and seven digs.
- Saint Louis recorded 13 blocks in the match.
- The Billikens held Duquesne to a .162 hitting percentage after the Dukes entered the match ranked among the top 20 nationally in team hitting percentage.
UP NEXT
The Billikens are back in action against the Dukes Saturday at 1 p.m. inside Chaifetz Pavilion.
