VB: NCAA Second Round, Duke vs. American

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Duke and American go at it at Cameron at the top of the hour.

The Eagles, Patriot League champions, are 33-2. Their only losses were at UC Irvine and at home to Army. They romped through Patriot League play with a 13-1 regular season record and won the conference tournament without losing a set.

The Eagles are big. Their primary offensive options go 6-6, 6-4, 6-4. Six-six middle blocker Kelly McCaddin led the team with 6.8 kills per match and an astronomical .415 hitting percentage. Morgan Hendrix, at 6-4, leads the team with 117 blocks while also hitting .359. The challenge for Duke is going to be ball-control and passing, so that Deichmeister can use all of her options to create one-on-one hitting opportunities for Obeime, Sklar, and Campbell.

LGD!

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American's size is causing problems for Duke early. Eagles up 15-12 in the first.

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American wins the first set, 25-23. Duke ran off six unanswered to tie it at 23, but the Eagles scored on a dump and a block to close out.

Duke didn't pass very well in the first set, and never got into any rhythm until the late run.

American is for real.

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Second set going down to the wire. American will serve at 22-23 out of the time out.

Defenses in control. Both teams hitting under .200.

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American wins the second set, 26-24. The Eagles don't run the middle often, but when they do it's extremely effective.

Duke hasn't come back from 0-2 all season. Now would be a good time.

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Tough end to an outstanding season for Duke. American looked a top-10 team tonight, and deserved to win. Good luck to the Eagles against number one seed Texas in the Sweet Sixteen.

Hard to be unhappy about 28-5, an ACC championship, and five starters returning next year.

Well done, ladies.