VOLLEYBALL DUKES SPLIT MATCHES IN CHICAGO

Friday, September 2

Chicago, Ill.

James Madison University

Charleston

9/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball

CHICAGO, Ill., Sept. 2, 2005 – Sophomore middle blocker Allyson Halls (Columbus, Ohio/Olentangy) ripped a team-high 16 kills to lead James Madison University to a 3-2 comeback victory against Denver University in women's college volleyball Friday in the University of Illinois-Chicago Invitational. The victory earned the Dukes a split for the first day of the tournament, having lost their first match 3-1 to the College of Charleston.

The Dukes committed an equal number of kills and errors through the first two games against Denver, combining for 22 each in 30-22 and 30-15 setbacks. JMU turned the match around with scores of 30-21, 30-28 and 15-8. The Dukes managed only four kills in the decisive third game, but the Pioneers tallied only one on 19 attempts.

Halls was the only Duke to reach double-figure kills. Junior Amanda Snead (Richmond, Va./Mills Godwin) turned in match-high honors with 18 digs.

Halls led a trio of Dukes in double-figures against the College of Charleston with a career-high 18 kills. Senior outside hitter Emilee Hussack (Chambersburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) and junior Ashley Copenhaver (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville) came away with 13 and 12, respectively.

The Cougars, preseason favorites to win their sixth straight Southern Conference crown, claimed the match 30-15, 29-31, 30-25 and 31-29.

JMU senior Krysta Cannon (Cedar Park, Texas/Westwood) had 50 assists against the Cougars and 37 versus the Pioneers. Sophomore Jena Pierson (San Antonio, Texas/James Madison) led the Dukes with 16 digs in the Charleston match.

The Dukes will face Bowling Green at 2 p.m. and host UIC at 7 p.m. on Saturday, the final day of the tournament.