It felt — and sounded — like a playoff atmosphere on Tuesday night at Musgrove Fieldhouse.

Opening the season against nonconference rival Sterling , Dixon pulled away down the stretch in a 25-22, 20-25, 25-19 win road win. It was the second straight season the Duchesses beat Sterling in three sets to open the year.

Izzy Queckboerner said it took a lot of picking each other up for Dixon to battle its way to a competitive win in a loud road atmosphere.

“For a while we were playing individually,” she said. “And as a team that doesn’t work. You have to play together, or you’re not going to see what you want to see.”

That togetherness made for a balanced attack as Queckboerner led Dixon with eight kills, Leah Carlson (two blocks) had seven, Morgan Hargrave (three aces) had seven and Sol

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