Box Score (PDF) vs. Duke | Box Score (PDF) vs. UNCG

DURHAM, N.C. – The EKU volleyball team went the distance in two Saturday matches, but fell to Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 3-2, on the final day of the Duke Invitational at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
 
Junior Celina Sanks posted career bests in kills (19) and digs (17) in Saturday's second match. Meanwhile, EKU sophomore Cassie Knutson earned all-tournament honors after compiling 31 kills, 16 assists, 12 digs, and three blocks in the Colonels' first three matches of 2016.
 
Duke (2-0) took Saturday's opening match, winning by scores of 25-14, 25-27, 22-25, 25-8, and 15-13. UNCG claimed the third and final match of the weekend over the Colonels, winning 25-19, 24-26, 25-19, 23-25, and 15-3.
 
After the Blue Devils claimed the opening set, 25-14, the Colonels answered to even the score at one.
 
Opportune EKU kills helped push the Colonels to a 2-1 lead as junior transfer Nikki Drost, freshman Rachel Woody and junior Ciera Koons tallied three straight kills and broke a 22-22 tie.
 
It was all Duke in the fourth, as the Blue Devils cruised to a 25-8 win. However, the Colonels responded in the deciding set.
 
Sanks' kill pulled the Colonels within one, 13-12, which forced a Duke timeout. The Blue Devils were able to hold off the EKU comeback attempt, winning the decisive set 15-13.
 
In Saturday's finale, the Colonels (0-3) traded sets with the Spartans (1-2) to force another fifth set. Tied at two, UNCG outscored EKU 13-1 the rest of the way to claim the win.  
 
Sanks paced the Colonels, logging 34 kills and 22 digs on the day. Knutson added 18 kills, 15 assists, and seven digs, along with 24 kills, 40 assists, and 23 digs from Woody.
 
The Colonels travel to Phoenix next week for three matches at the Grand Canyon University Tournament. EKU will take on GCU in the opening match on Friday, before facing off against California State University at Fullerton and Eastern Washington University on Saturday.