Dukes Close Fairfield Invitational With 3-1 Victory Over Sacred Heart

Saturday, September 10

Fairfield, Conn.

12:30 p.m.

James Madison University

7-3

Sacred Heart

3-6

Sacred Heart

James Madison

Dukes Close Fairfield Invitational With 3-1 Victory Over Sacred Heart

9/10/2016 3:16:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score @JMUVolleyball Box Score 2016 Schedule/Results 2016 Statistics

FAIRFIELFD, Conn. – Powered by another double-digit block performance, James Madison volleyball (7-3) topped Sacred Heart (3-6), 3-1 (26-24, 21-25, 25-20, 25-21), inside Alumni Hall in the Dukes' closing match of the Fairfield Invitational.

After trading points with Sacred Heart early in the opening set, the Dukes used a 5-0 run to take a 16-12 lead, forcing the Pioneers to call a timeout. Sacred Heart battled from behind to tie the match up late at 24-all before two Pioneer errors gave the Dukes a 26-24 victory.

Despite the Dukes fighting off a set point, Sacred Heart topped the JMU, 25-21, to lock the match up at the set break. JMU tallied five of the third set's first six points to jump out to an early lead, but SHU battled back to knot the set up at 14-all. JMU close the set on 5-0 run to cruise to a 25-20 victory.

JMU and Sacred Heart were locked in a closely contested fourth set as the match was tied at 10-all early, but the Dukes reeled off an 8-1 run to pull ahead, 18-11. Sacred Heart fought off three match-points before senior middle blocker Kelly Robertson delivered a kill to secure a JMU victory.

The Dukes continued its dominance at the net for their second double-digit block effort as JMU out-blocked the Pioneers, 11 to six. Sophomore middle blocker Taylor Gail led the defense with two solo blocks and five block assists.

Senior right side hitter Janey Goodman topped the JUM offense with 19 kills, including recording her 1,300th of her career. Senior outside hitter Kate Whitmire added eight kills, while freshman outside hitter Briley Brind'Amour chipped in seven. Freshman Sarah Martin and sophomore Tilbe Yaglioglu split time at setter, dishing out 14 and 15 assists, respectively. Junior libero Taylor Austin headed the defense on the floor with 18 digs.

QOUTING COACH STEINBRECHER
"We pushed through some adversity today to get the win against Sacred Heart. This is a great group and we are only going to get better as the season progresses."

TWEET OF THE MATCH

.@Janeygmann continues to climb the @JMUVolleyball record, moving to 5th all-time in career kills! ???? #GoDukes pic.twitter.com/QHClwat6Vr— JMU Volleyball (@JMUVolleyball) September 10, 2016

MILESTONE FOR GOODMAN
Closing the weekend with 42 kills, Goodman picked up Fairfield Invitational All-Tournament team honors while moving up on the JMU all-time career kills list. The Powhatan, Va. native now moved into fifth place with 1,315 career kills. The right side hitter is chasing down the fourth spot held by Danielle Erb (2009-2012) with 1,330 total kills.

UP NEXT
James Madison closes its tournament season next weekend at the George Washington Invitational in Washington, D.C. The Dukes open the tournament with a doubleheader slate on Friday, Sept. 16 as JMU faces Northern Illinois at 11 a.m. before taking on George Washington at 6:30 p.m. JMU closes the tournament on Saturday, Sept. 17 with a 10:30 a.m. contest against Tennessee.