DELAWARE HANDS VOLLEYBALL DUKES THIRD STRAIGHT SETBACK

Friday, October 7

Harrisonburg, Va.

James Madison University

Delaware

10/7/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball

HARRISONBURG, Va., Oct. 7, 2005 – Freshman outside hitter Kelly Gibson (Taos, N.M./Taos) laced a match-high 26 kills to lead the Delaware Blue Hens past the James Madison University Dukes in a five-game- Colonial Athletic Association showdown at Sinclair Gymnasium Friday (Oct. 7).

The Dukes fought back from as much as an eight point deficit to come from behind and win game one by a score of 30-27. Game two saw the Dukes jump out to an early lead, going up 4-3, but then three errors and four Blue Hen kills later and the Dukes found themselves in a 10-4 hole. The Blue Hens never allowed JMU to catch up and went on to win the second stanza, 30-27. Games three and four were split as the Blue Hens took game three 30-28, followed by the Dukes taking game four 30-22. In the fifth and deciding game, the Blue Hens pulled away from an 8-all tie for a 15-12 final.

Junior right side Bayli Stillwell (Steamboat Springs, Colo./Steamboat Springs) led the JMU attack, hitting at a .361 mark (15-2-36), and senior outside Emilee Hussack (Chambersburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley Christian) notched a double-double with 13 kills and 17 digs. Sophomore libero Jena Pierson (San Antonio, Texas/James Madison) once again led all players with 27 defensive digs on the night. Sophomore middle Allyson Halls (Columbus, Ohio/Olentangy) also added 11 kills for the Dukes.

Delaware sophomore setter Allison Lutz (Burnsville, Minn./Burnsville) led all players with 52 attack assists and the Blue Hens as a team combined for 12 total blocks and out-hit the Dukes .214 to .205 as they improved to 6-13 overall and 3-5 mark in the CAA. The Dukes have dropped their last three decisions and fall to a 10-6 overall mark, 4-4 in the CAA.

The next match for the Dukes will be held Saturday, Oct. 8 at home against the defending CAA champion Towson Tigers at 7 p.m. The Tigers began the weekend in second place in the conference, boasting a 6-1 CAA mark and owns the highest overall winning percentage with an 18-3 overall record.