The Duke volleyball team looked as good as it could in Wednesday’s exhibition against NC Central, sweeping the Eagles in three sets as the Blue Devils tune up for the 2024 season.
The game, dubbed ‘The Battle of Bull City’ on social media since both schools are in Durham, took place in NC Central’s home arena, McDouald-McLendon Arena.
The Blue Devils got off to a 9-2 start in 2023, winning nine consecutive matches over schools like Creighton, Michigan, Michigan State, and West Virginia. They finished the year 19-10 after 10 wins in conference play, their first double-digit ACC slate since 2018.
The Blue Devils need to replace outside hitter Gracie Johnson, who co-led the team with 356 kills last season, and setter Emma Worthington’s team-leading 1,013 assists after both players exhausted their eligibility. Outside hitter Kerry Keefe (the other Blue Devil with 356 kills in 2023) returns for her junior season, though, and senior Rachel Richardson (157 kills in 2023) should be a major factor again.
Bull City is ours 😈#GoDuke pic.twitter.com/r8NSvMRDNU
— Duke Volleyball (@DukeVB) August 22, 2024
The Blue Devils face Colgate on August 30 for the first official match of the year, the first of three consecutive days with a game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke battles Kansas on August 31 before playing South Carolina on September 1.