Dukes Sweep Cornell And Colgate To Win Cornell Invitational

Saturday, September 3

Ithaca, N.Y.

11 a.m.

James Madison University

5-1

Cornell

1-1

James Madison

Cornell

Dukes Sweep Cornell And Colgate To Win Cornell Invitational

9/3/2016 1:08:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 @JMUVolleyball Cornell Box Score 2016 Results Colgate Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y. – Led by back-to-back double-doubles from freshman setter Sarah Martin, James Madison volleyball (6-1) downed Cornell (1-1) and Colgate (2-3) in straight sets Saturday inside Newman Arena to close out the Cornell Invitational undefeated to win the tournament title.

The Dukes topped Colgate with a 25-17 victory in the opening set before a closely contested second set between the Raiders and Dukes developed. The squads traded points in the late stages of the match. Facing a 20-all tie, JMU capitalized on a Colgate error to regain a lead it would not relinquish, taking the set 25-21. After being locked up early in the third set, Colgate used a pair of kills and an ace to take an 18-17 lead. The Dukes battled from behind, fighting off three straight set points, topping the Raiders 27-25 to win the match.

Senior right side hitter Janey Goodman totaled 20 kills and five blocks, leading the Dukes in both categories. Freshman setter Martin recorded her second double-double of the day with 30 assists and 10 digs. Junior libero Taylor Austin added 24 digs to lead the Duke defense.

Earlier Saturday, JMU powered past Cornell in straight sets (25-17, 25-16, 25-18) as the Dukes attacked at a .375 hitting percentage and tallied 54 team kills compared to just 33 from the Big Red, who was held to a .176 clip.

Cornell matched the Dukes point-for-point as JMU clung to a 14-13 lead at the midway point of the second set, but the JMU offense swatted at a .359 clip in the set to overtake the Big Red, closing the set on a 7-1 run to take a 2-0 advantage into the break. The Duke offense prove to be too much for Cornell in the final set as JMU tallied 21 kills to cap a 25-18 set victory to complete the sweep.

Goodman set a career-high for kills in three sets with 22 in Saturday's opening match. Sophomore middle blocker Taylor Gail added eight kills, while Martin totaled seven. Austin headed the defense with 27 digs as Martin added 12 digs with 41 assists to record the first Duke double-double of the season.

QUOTING COACH STEINBRECHER
"We are very pleased with our team today. We got better, and every single player contributed to that. This is a great group to coach. We are certainly looking forward to getting back in the gym with them on Monday."

DUKE TRIO EARNS ALL-TOURNAMENT HONORS
Goodman, Austin and senior middle blocker Kelly Robertson brought home all-tournament honors after leading the Dukes to an undefeated weekend and the Cornell Invitational title.

Goodman average 5.90 kills per set as she racked up 59 kills, including a season-high 22 kills against Cornell. The Powhatan, Va. native attacked at a .424 clip, while adding four aces, 24 digs and 12 total blocks. Robertson was lethal at the net with 16 blocks over the weekend, including a career-high 11 aganist Marist. Robertson added 21 kills and eight digs. Austin highlighted the defense with 73 digs, averaging 7.30 per set.

MARTIN DOUBLES DOWN
Martin recorded a breakout performance for the Dukes against Cornell, recording the first Duke double-double of the season and the first of her career. The freshman setter set a career and season high with 41 assists, helping the Dukes to a .375 hitting percentage against the Big Red, while tallying 12 digs. The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. native also added seven kills.

The freshman repeated the performance in Saturday's nightcap against Colgate as Martin recorded 30 assists and added 10 digs. Martin averages 9.27 assists per set, ranking fifth overall in the Colonial Athletic Association.

UP NEXT
JMU continues its road swing next weekend at the Fairfield Invitational. The Dukes open the tournament on Friday, Sept. 9 with matches against Villanova at 11 a.m. and Fairfield at 7 p.m., before closing the tournament on Saturday, Sept. 10 against Sacred Heart at 12:30 p.m. James Madison will return to Sinclair Gym inside Godwin Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 21, hosting William & Mary to open Colonial Athletic Association action.