JMU TAKES DOWN VCU 3-2 IN CAA VOLLEYBALL

Sunday, September 24

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2 p.m.

James Madison University

9-5, 4-2CAA

VCU

6-7, 2-4CAA

Va. Commonwealth

James Madison

9/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va., Sept. 24, 2006 - Junior Allyson Halls (Columbus, Ohio/Olentangy) matched her career high with 21 kills, including six in the decisive fifth game, as James Madison University defeated Virginia Commonwealth University 3-2 in Colonial Athletic Association volleyball on Sunday in Sinclair Gymnasium.

JMU (9-5, 4-2 CAA) defeated VCU (6-7, 2-4 CAA) by game scores of 30-26, 30-28, 28-30, 23-30, and 15-12. The Dukes wrapped up a 5-0 home stand and improved to 8-1 for the season at home. It was also JMU's first win of the year in a five-game match after the Dukes were previously 0-3.

In the first game, VCU led 6-4 early before JMU went up 7-6 and never trailed again in picking up the 30-26 win. Senior Hanna Porterfield (Arlington, Va./Bishop O'Connell) and sophomore Michelle Johnson (Los Gatos, Calif./Los Gatos) each had five kills with no errors to lead the Dukes.

The Dukes pulled out to an early lead in game two, going up by a score of 13-9, only to see the Rams charge back and tie it at 16-16. JMU trailed 25-24 before senior Amanda Snead (Richmond, Va./Mills Godwin) helped serve the Dukes on a four-point run. VCU pulled within one at 29-28 on back-to-back kills by senior Ludmila Francescatto (Fraiburga, Brazil/Arizona Western), but JMU freshman Kaitlin McFadden (Natural Bridge Station, Va./Rockbridge) put the game away with a kill.

VCU took charge midway through game three and led 29-25 before JMU attempted a late rally. The Dukes pulled within one at 29-28 before a ball-handling error gave the Rams the win 30-28. VCU had eight of its 22 blocks in the game.

The Rams took advantage of the momentum in game four. After an early VCU lead, JMU tied it at 7-7 but the Rams outscored the Dukes 23-16 the rest of the way for the win. Sophomore Ana Luiza Bernardes de Borja (Florianopolis, Brazil/Colegio Geracao) and senior Melissa Peterson (Ganado, Ariz./Arizona Western) combined for 11 kills and just one error.

The fifth game started well for VCU, as the Rams carried the momentum into a 5-2 early lead. However, Halls registered a kill to ignite an 8-0 run with Snead at serve. Halls had five kills and a block during the rally. VCU ended the run after its second timeout, but the damage had been done as JMU held on for the 15-12 win in the decisive game.

Halls hit .310 (21-8-42) with six digs and five block assists. Porterfield had a career-high 19 kills along with six digs and three blocks. Johnson matched her career high with 13 kills and added six blocks. Sophomore setter Lauren Miles (Tampa, Fla./Tampa Prep) had a career-high 67