VCU OVERCOME BY DUKE IN TOURNEY FINALE
8-26-06
Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – Despite nine blocks from senior middle blocker Renata Salvatori (Londrina, Brazil/Arizona Western College) and 13 kills and 10 digs from senior outside hitter Ludmila Francescatto (Fraiburga, Brazil/Arizona Western College), Virginia Commonwealth University dropped a 3-0 decision, 30-24, 30-22, 30-28, to host Duke Saturday night in the Duke University Invitational at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

VCU finished the season-opening tournament 2-1, while the Blue Devils claimed top honors with a 3-0 mark.

For Francescatto, an All-Colonial Athletic Association First Team selection in 2005, the match saw her log her third straight double-double. The performance earned her a spot on the all-tournament team, along with sophomore libero Laryssa Goncalves (Curitiba, Brazil/Colegio Dom Bosco).

Also for the Rams, sophomore outside hitter Ana Luiza Bernardes de Borja (Florianopolis, Brazil/Colegio Geracao) chipped in with nine kills, five digs and four total blocks while senior middle blocker Melissa Peterson (Ganado, Ariz./Arizona Western College) added eight kills.

Four Duke players contributed double-digit kills, including Carrie DeMange, who ripped a match-high 15. Rachel Moss added 10 kills and 15 digs. Jenny Shull had 24 digs for the Blue Devils.

VCU returns to the court on Friday, Sept. 1, when they head to Provo, Utah, to participate in the Molten Classic at BYU. The Rams open the tournament with Texas A&M Corpus-Christie at 7 p.m., EST. On Saturday, Sept. 2 the Black and Gold will clash with No. 4 Stanford and the host Cougars.