Dukes Suffer First CAA Loss, Fall to UNCW

Friday, October 30

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

21-4 (11-1)

UNCW

18-5 (9-2)

UNCW

James Madison

10/30/2015 9:36:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison fell to UNCW in three sets (18-25, 16-25, 21-25) on Friday night, marking the first Colonial Athletic Association loss of the season for the Dukes and snapping their 14-match win streak. The first-place Dukes dropped to 21-4 overall and to 11-1 in the CAA, while the second-plac Seahawks improved to 18-5 and 9-2.

James Madison played the Seahawks close in the first set, as they sat tied at 18-all. The Seahawks broke away with a seven-point run to take a 1-0 match lead.

After the Seahawks opened the second set on a 4-0 run, the Dukes fought back to close the gap to one, 8-7. With back-and-forth play heading into a JMU timeout, UNCW closed on an 8-3 run to win the second set.

JMU jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the third set, led by junior right side hitter Janey Goodman with three kills. The Dukes and Seahawks stayed tight and, after a 14-14 tie, the Seahawks pulled ahead on a 5-2 run to secure the lead for good and win the match.

Goodman led the Dukes with 12 kills, followed by senior Meghan Niski's eight kills and 12 digs. Senior setter Sarah Patterson recorded 29 assists, and sophomore libero Taylor Austin led the defense with 16 digs.

The Seahawks were led by Nicole Lott with 13 kills and middle hitter Anna Moss with seven blocks.

Quoting Head Coach Lauren Steinbrecher
"Hats off to UNCW for playing a great match against us tonight. You have to bring it every night in the CAA to win. I know this match will make us a better team, and I can't wait to get back in the gym tomorrow to get better."

Photo of the Game
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Senior Meghan Niski was recognized before the game for earning her 1,000th career dig.

Tweet of the Game

Autograph time with the @JMUVolleyball team. Thx for hosting Adapted Sports Day, Dukes! pic.twitter.com/ISQGPbr07n
— JMU Adapted Sport (@JMUAdaptedSport) October 31, 2015

Rising Up the Record Board
Senior Meghan Niski is one set away from breaking into the top 10 on JMU's all-time career sets played at 417. She trails Holly Wall and Amber Jaunrunbenis in 10th place at 418 sets played.

What It Means
James Madison remains in first place of the CAA with a record of 11-1 while the Seahawks remain in second at 9-2.

Up Next
The Dukes host College of Charleston Sunday, November 1 at noon in Godwin Hall. Seniors Meghan Niski, Jaclyn Placha, Sierra Hahn-Ventrell and Sarah Patterson will be recongized before the match for their career accomplishments.