Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – Despite a career-high 13 kills from sophomore Cassie Knutson, the EKU volleyball team fell to Louisiana State University, 3-0, in its season opener at the Duke Invitational on Friday.
 
LSU (1-0) won by scores of 25-22, 25-14, and 25-23.
 
Knutson's 13 kills topped a previous career-high set against Troy University in last year's season opener. The San Diego, California native's .348 hitting percentage was also a new career best.
 
The Colonels (0-1) pushed the Tigers in the first set before taking a 22-21 lead. However, LSU clinched the final four points to go ahead 1-0 in the match.
 
Louisiana State controlled the second set to extend its lead to 2-0, but the Colonels did not fret in the deciding set.
 
Down 2-1 early, the Colonels never trailed by more than three points in the third. Behind by three, freshman Kaylin Johnson landed a timely kill to pull the Colonels back within two, 22-20. The Tigers crept ahead to a 24-21 advantage after trading points with the Colonels.

EKU fought off two match points, but the Tigers sealed the victory with a kill from Gina Tillis.
 
Junior Mallory Maxwell finished with a team-high 18 digs for EKU, while freshman Rachel Woody turned in a solid nine kill, 16 assist, and 15 dig performance in her first collegiate match.
 
The Colonels return to action on Saturday, as they take on tournament host Duke University at 1 p.m. before facing the University of North Carolina at Greensboro at 5 p.m.
 
Both matches are available on the Atlantic Coast Conference Network Extra and on the WatchESPN and the ESPN app.