Dukes Earn Weekend Split with Five-Set Triumph Over Cougars

Sunday, September 26

Harrisonburg, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

9-3,3-1CAA

College of Charleston

8-7,1-3CAA

Col. of Charleston

James Madison

Dukes Earn Weekend Split with Five-Set Triumph Over Cougars

9/26/2021 5:23:00 PM | Volleyball

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HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison secured a series split with a 3-2 (25-23, 25-20, 20-25, 19-25, 15-10) victory over the College of Charleston on Sunday at Sinclair Gymnasium.

JMU improved to 9-3 overall and 3-1 in Colonial Athletic Association play, while Charleston fell to 8-7 on the year and 1-3 in the CAA.

Sophomore Miëtte Veldman had a game-high 16 kills, while junior Sophia Davis added 10 kills with a .267 hitting percentage. Freshman Jaydyn Clemmer, senior Savannah Marshall, and freshman Madilyn O'Toole each contributed 14 digs. Junior Caroline Dozier had 40 assists and added 13 digs.

The Dukes have produced three five-set wins through their first four matches of CAA play. JMU has now played four matches of at least four sets to open league play for the first time since 2013.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The opening set featured 14 ties and three lead changes. With the score tied at 14, Charleston took six of seven points and a 20-15 lead. The Dukes came roaring back with a 5-0 run, before the Cougars scored three straight to regain a 23-20 advantage. JMU then went on a second 5-0 run, featuring two key blocks to win the set 25-23.

Second Set
The second set was tied eight times, but the Dukes never trailed. With the score tied at 17, Veldman and sophomore Elizabeth Helmich pulled off back-to-back to kills. Veldman would eventually kill two more points and a Charleston attacking error gave the Dukes a 25-20 set win and a 2-0 match lead.

Third Set
The Cougars started out strong, taking a 15-6 lead. JMU fought back to pull within four, at 18-14, but the Dukes would never come closer than that margin, and Charleston won its first set of the match, 25-20.

Fourth Set
James Madison took an early 11-7 advantage, but Charleston flipped the set at that point, eventually taking a 20-15 lead. A 4-0 run put the Dukes within a point, but the Cougars scored the last five points, winning the set 25-19 and squaring the match at two.

Fifth Set
The Dukes took 11 of the first 12 points, forcing Charleston to use both timeouts in the process. Veldman had four kills alone during the 11-1 run. The Cougars fought back, but the JMU lead was insurmountable, and the Dukes took the deciding set 15-10.

UP NEXT
The Dukes are off next weekend, but will travel to Elon for a pair of CAA matches on Oct. 9 and 10. Both matches will begin at 2 p.m. and will be streamed on FloSports.