Friday, August 28
Conway, SC
6:00 p.m.
Coastal Carolina University
0-1,0-0Sun Belt
1
vs
3
Duke
1-0,0-0ACC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 17 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Coastal Carolina | 25 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 1 |
Volleyball Drops Season Opener To Duke
8/28/2026 8:46:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CONWAY, S.C. – Despite a double-double from freshman Viara Parapunova in her collegiate debut, Coastal Carolina dropped a 3-1 decision to Duke in its season opener for both teams Friday night inside the HTC Center.
The Chanticleers (0-1) won the opening set 25-17 before the Blue Devils (1-0) took the next three by scores of 25-20, 25-19 and 25-23.
"We played with great energy the first set, but I'm not sure the energy we played with in the first set is something you can sustain for the entire match," Chanticleer head coach Steve Loeswick said. "We need to find an elevated energy that we can carry from one set to the next.
"It took us a while to find our rhythm again, and when we did, we started fighting back and played well enough to win in the fourth set. A couple of balls just didn't go our way."
Parapunova led all players with 18 kills while hitting .395 and added 10 digs. Anzley Rinard finished with 12 kills, while Natalie Hughes contributed eight kills and four blocks.
"Viara did everything we were hoping and more," Loeswick said. "We're looking forward to an amazing season from her."
Hatteras Welker totaled a match-high eight blocks as Coastal held a 13-9 advantage at the net. Jonna Spohn led the Chants with 18 digs and added two service aces, while Kaylee Musick handed out 23 assists.
Coastal held a 9-8 lead in the opening set before scoring seven consecutive points to build a 16-8 advantage. Musick served throughout the 7-0 run, which included three kills by Rinard and two blocks. Coastal hit .314 and recorded six blocks in the set.
Duke led throughout the second set to even the match. The Blue Devils then used a 7-1 run to build an 11-4 advantage in the third. Duke committed no attack errors and hit .600 in the set to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
The Chants trailed 13-7 in the fourth set before rallying to even the score at 17-all. Coastal later took a 22-21 lead, but Duke scored four of the final five points after the teams were tied at 23 to close out the match.
Taylor Williams led Duke with 10 kills, 12 digs and four service aces, while Ashby Zubchevich added 13 kills.
Coastal Carolina returns to action Sunday, Aug. 28, when it hosts Queens at 1 p.m. inside the HTC Center.
POSTGAME NOTES
The Chanticleers (0-1) won the opening set 25-17 before the Blue Devils (1-0) took the next three by scores of 25-20, 25-19 and 25-23.
"We played with great energy the first set, but I'm not sure the energy we played with in the first set is something you can sustain for the entire match," Chanticleer head coach Steve Loeswick said. "We need to find an elevated energy that we can carry from one set to the next.
"It took us a while to find our rhythm again, and when we did, we started fighting back and played well enough to win in the fourth set. A couple of balls just didn't go our way."
Parapunova led all players with 18 kills while hitting .395 and added 10 digs. Anzley Rinard finished with 12 kills, while Natalie Hughes contributed eight kills and four blocks.
"Viara did everything we were hoping and more," Loeswick said. "We're looking forward to an amazing season from her."
Hatteras Welker totaled a match-high eight blocks as Coastal held a 13-9 advantage at the net. Jonna Spohn led the Chants with 18 digs and added two service aces, while Kaylee Musick handed out 23 assists.
Coastal held a 9-8 lead in the opening set before scoring seven consecutive points to build a 16-8 advantage. Musick served throughout the 7-0 run, which included three kills by Rinard and two blocks. Coastal hit .314 and recorded six blocks in the set.
Duke led throughout the second set to even the match. The Blue Devils then used a 7-1 run to build an 11-4 advantage in the third. Duke committed no attack errors and hit .600 in the set to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
The Chants trailed 13-7 in the fourth set before rallying to even the score at 17-all. Coastal later took a 22-21 lead, but Duke scored four of the final five points after the teams were tied at 23 to close out the match.
Taylor Williams led Duke with 10 kills, 12 digs and four service aces, while Ashby Zubchevich added 13 kills.
Coastal Carolina returns to action Sunday, Aug. 28, when it hosts Queens at 1 p.m. inside the HTC Center.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Eight players made their Coastal Carolina: debuts: Hughes, Musick, Parapunova, Spohn, Welker, Abby Bucey, Isabele Filardo and Amarah Johnson.
- Sophomore Bella Loeswick distributed double-digit assists for the first time in her career, handing out 11.
- Spohn posted a career-high 18 digs. Her previous high was 15 against Minnesota in 2023.
Players Mentioned
L
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
DU
CCU
Kills
46
46
Errors
22
21
Attempts
140
134
Hitting %
.171
.187
Points
66.0
64.0
Assists
45
44
Aces
11
5
Blocks
9
13
Game Leaders
Kills
18
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
8
Thursday, October 09
Thursday, September 11
Thursday, November 14
Friday, October 18
