Miami Downs Duke 3-2 on the Road

DURHAM, N.C. – Miami volleyball takes down Duke in Cameron Indoor Stadium in a back-and-forth thriller on Friday night.

The Canes improved to 9-4 this season led by senior Elizaveta Lukianova with 22 kills and five blocks, Savannah Vach with 42 assists and Prsicilla Hernandez’s 17 digs.

Miami continued its first-set win streak with a 26-24 set win. Lukianova led both teams with a hot start of eight kills, while Vach’s 13 assists and two Miami aces gave the Canes a comfortable 1-0 lead.

Duke would rally back taking the second, 25-21, led by three Blue Devils who each recorded four kills. The home team finished with its best attack percentage in the second (.371), while finishing with six blocks.

Miami registered just seven kills in the third, dropping the set 25-14, the biggest margin of victory in a set for the match.

The Canes would force its first five-set match of the spring 2021 season, with another 26-24 set win. 14 kills and two service aces gave Miami the edge heading into the final set. Angela Grieve and Janet Kalaniuvalu each recorded six kills to lead both teams.

Lukianova would not be denied in the final set, adding her final four kills of the match to push the Canes past the Blue Devils. Miami would take the final set 15-13 after a strong defensive effort of six blocks.

Miami takes on No. 19 Pittsburgh Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in Cameron Indoor Stadium.