DUKES SNUFF FLAMES FOR VOLLEYBALL WIN; GARNER NOTCHES RECORD 91ST WIN

Tuesday, September 20

Lynchburg, Va.

James Madison University

Liberty

DUKES SNUFF FLAMES FOR VOLLEYBALL WIN; GARNER NOTCHES RECORD 91ST WIN

9/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball

LYNCHBURG, Va., Sept. 20, 2005 – James Madison once again utilized a balanced attack, particularly in the pivotal game four, and went on to post a non-conference volleyball victory in five games (26-30, 30-16, 29-31, 30-28, 15-6) against host Liberty University Tuesday night at the Vine Center. The Dukes overcame a 2-1 deficit in games and improved to 8-3 overall. The Flames fell to 4-9.

The Dukes never trailed in game four and built as much as a 21-15 advantage to eventually force a fifth game. Five different players had three kills each and the defense turned back 19 of the Flames' 36 attacks with four blocks and 15 digs. JMU hit .205 in the game while stuffing the Liberty attack to a .056 attack rate.

The Dukes dominated the decisive game, needing only six kills while the Flames crashed with a negative hitting rate (3 kill, 7 errors, 19 attacks, -.211). The game outcome sealed the Dukes fourth win in the last five encounters with LU. JMU leads the series 21-9.

Junior Bayli Stillwell (Steamboat Springs, Colo./Steamboat Springs) finished the evening with a team-best-14 kills on an attack rate of .480 (14-2-25) from the right side. Senior outside hitter Emilee Hussack (Chambersburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley Christian) supported the winning cause with 13 kills, and junior Ashley Copenhaver (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville) added 11.

Senior setter Krysta Cannon (Cedar Park, Texas/Westwood) tallied 47 assists and sophomore libero Jena Pierson (San Antonio, Texas/James Madison) had a match-high 22 digs.

Liberty's Jessica Nelson led all players with 17 kills.

The victory was the 91^st in the JMU coaching career of sixth-year head coach Disa Garner. She became the Dukes' all-time wins leader at the Division I level, surpassing Chris Beerman's 90 wins during the four seasons from 1996 to 1999. JMU has been playing Division I volleyball since 1986.

The Dukes will be back at home this weekend to host a pair of Colonial Athletic Association matches. JMU takes a 2-1 CAA mark into a Friday (Sept. 23) tilt against the Seahawks of UNC Wilmington (3-7, 0-4) and meets Georgia State (1-8, 1-3) on Saturday (Sept. 24). The first served for both matches is slated for 7 p.m. in Sinclair Gym of Godwin Hall.