Michigan
10-1,0-0Big Ten
Duke
4-7,0-0ACC
Wolverines Sweep Blue Devils for Tenth Win of the Season
9/21/2024 9:17:00 PM | Volleyball
» Michigan took down Duke in straight sets improving to 10-1 on the season.
» Allison Jacobs led the team with 13 kills.
» Valentina Vaulet was errorless with 11 kills on 17 swings and added four aces.
» Serena Nyambio tallied four blocks including two solo blocks.
DURHAM, N.C. – In straight sets, the University of Michigan volleyball team defeated Duke (25-17, 25-10, 27-25) on Saturday night (Sept. 21) at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Michigan (10-1) was led offensively by Allison Jacobs, who tallied 13 kills, while Valentina Vaulet posted a team-leading 15 points with 11 kills and four service aces. Serena Nyambio contributed eight kills with no errors on 15 attacks and added four blocks—two solo and two assisted. Morgan Burke led the Wolverines in assists with 30.
The Wolverines dominated the first two sets, never trailing. A solo block from Nyambio opened the match, and a kill from Vaulet extended the early lead. Duke (4-7) scored with a kill, but Michigan went on a 4-1 run, capped by a block from Jacque Boney and Jacobs, forcing an early timeout. U-M maintained control after the timeout, with Duke never coming closer than four points. A 3-0 run put Michigan up 17-9, highlighted by an ace from Mira Chopra, prompting another Duke timeout. The teams split the final 16 points, but a final ace from Chopra secured the 25-17 set win for Michigan.
A kill from Nyambio started a 4-0 Wolverines run to open the second set. After Duke got on the board, Michigan responded with a 5-2 run, forcing a Blue Devils timeout. Vaulet's service run extended the lead to 13-4. Kills from Ella Demetrician and Boney increased Michigan's lead to 16-4, leading to another Duke timeout. Michigan closed the set by taking nine of the last 15 points, sealing a 25-10 second set victory with a kill from Jacobs.
Duke took its first lead of the match with an opening kill in the third set, but Michigan answered with a 6-0 run, led by Demetrician's serves. After trailing 6-1, Duke took a timeout, winning the next point, but Michigan extended the lead to 10-3, thanks to aces from Chopra and Vaulet. Duke chipped away, forcing a U-M timeout with Michigan leading 18-15. The Blue Devils tied the set at 18 and later took a 20-19 lead. Both teams traded points until a kill from Vaulet saved Michigan from set point. Jacobs and Nyambio combined for a block to tie the set at 24. Duke had one more set-point opportunity, but back-to-back kills from Vaulet gave Michigan its chance. The Wolverines were able to capitalize and Jacobs slammed home the set and match-winning kill.
The Wolverines return home to open conference play against Michigan State on Friday (Sept. 27) at 7 p.m. in Crisler Center, airing on B1G+.
