JMU VOLLEYBALL LOSES IN FIVE SETS TO GEORGIA STATE

Friday, November 5

Atlanta, Ga.

7:00 p.m.

James Madison University

19-7, 7-4CAA

Georgia State

13-12, 7-4CAA

James Madison

Georgia State

11/6/2010 1:44:00 AM | Volleyball

Box Score

ATLANTA, Ga., Nov. 5, 2010 - Redshirt sophomore Natalie Abel (Washington, Pa./Trinity) recorded 15 kills and 13 digs for her fifth double-double of the season, but Georgia State overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat James Madison 3-2 at the GSU Sports Arena in Atlanta, Ga. on Friday evening.

The Dukes lost by set scores of 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-19 and 16-14 in the second five-set thriller between the two teams this season. JMU won the first meeting in Harrisonburg, Va. on Oct. 9. The loss drops Madison to 19-7 on the season and 7-4 in the Colonial Athletic Association. GSU improved to 13-12 and 7-4 in the league.

Joining Abel with double-digit kills was senior Lindsay Callahan (Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown) with 14. Senior Jessica Zeroual (Ottawa, Ont./De La Salle), junior Kelly Turner (Ontario, N.Y./Wayne Central) and sophomore Danielle Erb (Tampa, Fla./Plant) chipped in nine kills each while senior setter Lauren Fanelli (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) had a double-double with 31 assists and 14 digs. Freshman libero Katie Daorai (Tampa, Fla./Plant) had a team-high 22 digs.

Three Panthers finished with double-digit kills led by Muki Kangwa with 21 kills and Vineece Verdun with 19 kills on .348 hitting. Ashley Jones had a double-double with 16 kills and 13 digs. Audrey Cantrell had a match-high 30 digs and Chelsea Perry added 57 assists.

GSU out-hit JMU .247 to .223 and held an eight to seven advantage in blocks. Each team had 76 digs and three service aces.

The Dukes jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the match, including using a 3-0 run at the end of set two to win the set 26-24. Georgia State battled back by winning set three 25-23 before forcing a tiebreaker with a 25-19 win in set four.

In the decisive fifth set, the Panthers jumped out to leads of 6-3 and 8-5. After the teams traded sides, JMU went on a 5-1 run take its first lead of the set at 10-9. Neither team led by more than one point the rest of the way, with the Dukes reaching match point first at 14-13 after a service error by Verdun. GSU rebounded with a 3-0 run to win the set and take the match.

The Dukes return to the court on Sunday as the take on UNC Wilmington at 1 p.m. at Hanover Hall.