JMU Tops Elon in Three Sets

Friday, October 2

Elon, N.C.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

13-3 (3-0CAA)

Elon

3-13 (0-3CAA)

James Madison

Elon

10/2/2015 9:08:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

ELON, N.C. – James Madison defeated Elon in three sets (25-21, 25-15, 27-25) in a Colonial Athletic Association volleyball matchup on Friday night. JMU advanced to 13-3 (3-0 CAA) in 2015, while Elon fell to 3-13 (0-3 CAA) on the season.

Senior outside hitter Meghan Niski led the Dukes offensively, recording a season-best 16 kills.

Freshman Bryn Recker directed the Dukes serving game, tying her career high with four aces as JMU tallied seven as a team on the evening. Senior setter Sarah Patterson controlled the Dukes offense, dishing out 36 assists, and sophomore libero Taylor Austin racked up a team-high 12 digs.

The Dukes took the lead with a three-point run starting at the 5-5 mark that put JMU ahead 8-5 and the Dukes would maintain the lead for the rest of the set.

In set two, Elon jumped ahead 12-10, but the Dukes shifted the momentum with a 10-1 run, much of which coming with Recker serving, to take control and capture the frame. JMU continued to control the scoreboard in the third set with a six point lead at 17-11. The Phoenix closed the gap, earning nine out of the next 12 points to tie things at 20-20, but JMU dominated the final points of the 27-25 set to clinch the conference victory.

Quoting Lauren Steinbrecher
"I thought we had another team effort tonight fighting for that win. Our offense continues to do some nice things but I thought our defense struggled verse a good Elon team."

Senior Spotlight
Outside hitter Meghan Niski controlled the Dukes offense with a .355 (16-5-31) hitting percentage. She scored a team-high 16 points in three sets along with five digs and one assist. Niski also had the match ending kill haulting an Elon come back to claim set three 27-25.

Raising the Record Board
The last time JMU was in 13-3 was in 2000 when the Dukes won the CAA Championships and advanced to the NCAA East Regionals.

Looking ahead
The Dukes return to action Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. to take on William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. The Tribes is currently 7-9 on the season and 1-2 in the CAA.