MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Fighting Leatherneck volleyball fell in the opening round of the Diet Coke Classic to the Duke Blue Devils, 3-0, on Friday evening (Sept. 6). The Leathernecks drop to 2-3 after the loss, while Duke improves to 3-1 on the year. 

In the opening set the Leathernecks took the early lead before the Blue Devils evened the score and took the set, 25-17. Duke won the second set by a score of 25-21 and took the third set, 25-17 to win the match.

Ann Miller led the Leathernecks with 10 kills in the match while Samantha Fournier added seven for Western.

Sarah Fetter notched a team-best 22 assists for the Purple & Gold and moved into fifth on the Leathernecks' all-time assists list with 2,319.

Defensively, Bailey Kaloupek recorded 16 digs while Fournier had 11 for Western.

Head coach April Hall discussed the team's tough non-conference schedule and what it does to prepare the team for Summit League play.

"I chose to schedule tough competition this year in an attempt to better ourselves for conference," said coach Hall. "I felt like we weren't quite ready last year heading into league play, and this year, we are forced to step up early in our non-conference schedule and see what we are made of. We will continue to stress the importance of consistency and execution with our girls as we do every day."

The Leathernecks will continue play in the Diet Coke Classic tomorrow (Sept. 7) against tournament host Minnesota at 1 p.m. and Ball State at 5 p.m. 

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