Dukes Defeat Towson in Five-Set Thriller

Wednesday, September 23

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

11-3

Towson

13-2

Towson

James Madison

9/23/2015 10:48:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison defeated Towson in five sets (25-19, 31-29, 19-25, 20-25, 15-7) in the Colonial Athletic Association volleyball opener for both teams Wednesday night. The Dukes advanced to 11-3 (1-0 CAA) on the season while the Tigers fell to 13-2 (0-1 CAA).

Junior right side Janey Goodman led the way for JMU's offense, tallying a season-high 24 kills and adding 16 digs to notch her sixth double-double of the season. Freshman outside hitter Bryn Recker posted a double-double of her own, her third of the season, with 13 kills and 10 digs. Sophomore libero Taylor Austin and senior outside hitter Meghan Niski respectively racked up 20 and 18 digs, while senior setter Sarah Patterson dished out 49 assists.

After JMU captured the opening two sets, including a thrilling second set that saw the Dukes climb back from an 18-7 deficit, Towson leveled the match at 2-2 and forced a decisive final frame.

In the fifth set, the Dukes used a 9-0 run on Recker's serve, including three straight aces from the freshman, to storm out to a 9-1 lead that put the contest out of reach. The two teams traded points for the remainder of the match as the Dukes took the 15-7 win.

Quoting Lauren Streinbrecher
"Those guys went in and brought great energy and they fought. They really represented what JMU volleyball is all about and they helped us come back and win that second set."

Steinbrecher said regarding Kate Whitmire, Sierra Hahn-Ventrell and Kelly Robertson coming off the bench for the Dukes and making big impacts.

Play of the Game

Janey Goodman with a big kill to cap a 9-0 run by the Dukes in the fifth set against Towson.

Tweet of the Game

Congratulations @JMUVolleyball for a great win tonight to open CAA play and move to 11-3 on season so far! Keep it up Dukes!
— JMU Field Hockey (@JMU_FieldHockey) September 24, 2015

Photo of the Game

Looking Ahead
The Dukes travel to Newark, Del. Friday Sept. 23, taking on the Blue Hens in a CAA match-up beginning at 7 p.m.