Dukes Suffer First CAA Loss, Fall At Hofstra

Friday, September 30

Hempstead, N.Y.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

10-6 (2-1CAA)

Hofstra

11-5 (1-2CAA)

James Madison

Hofstra

9/30/2016 9:18:00 PM | Volleyball

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HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - A career night from sophomore middle blocker Taylor Gail was not enough as James Madison volleyball (10-6, 2-1) suffered its first Colonial Athletic Association loss as Hofstra (11-5, 1-2) topped JMU in straight sets (20-25, 21-22, 22-25) Friday evening inside the David S. Mack Fitness Center.

Gail powered the JMU offense with nine kills, tying her career high, on 14 swings for a .429 hitting percentage. The sophomore chipped in four blocks as JMU tallied 11 total to record double-digit blocks for the seventh time in 2016. Senior middle blocker Kelly Robertson topped the Duke blocking with seven.

Senior outside hitter Janey Goodman added six kills and five blocks, while reining CAA Offensive Player of the Week sophomore outside hitter Bryn Recker tallied five kills, four digs, three assists and two blocks. Sophomore setter Tilbe Yaglioglu tallied her first double-double as a Duke, garnering 16 assists and 10 digs. Junior libero Taylor Austin led the defense with 18 digs.

Hofstra opened the first set with a service ace, kill and a block to take a 3-0 lead that the Pride would not relinquish. The Dukes pulled within three using a 3-0 run, but back-to-back kills from Michela Rucil capped a 25-20 victory for Hofstra. A 6-0 run by the Pride proved too much to overcome despite JMU fighting off three consecutive set points as Hofstra won set two, 25-21, to take a 2-0 lead into the break.

James Madison tallied three of the first four points to open the third set, taking its first lead of the night, but the Pride battled back to take a 7-6 lead. Hofstra extended its lead by as many as six, but JMU used kills from Gail and Recker and two Duke blocks to pull back within one, 23-22. The Pride quieted the comeback with two consecutive kills to win the set, 25-22, and complete the sweep.

QUOTING COACH STEINBRECHER
"I thought Hofstra outplayed us tonight. We brought too little, too late. We had too many errors to beat a strong team on its home court. The good thing is there is a lot more season left, and we are going to learn everything we can from this match to be our best in the future."

BLOCK PARTY
For the seventh time this season, JMU recorded double-digit blocks as the Dukes tallied 11 total against the Pride. JMU is out-blocking opponents 128.5 to 71.5 over the first 16 matches of the season. Eight Dukes have tallied double-digit blocks as the team is led by Taylor Gail's 54 total. The sophomore currently ranks fourth in the league by averaging 1.10 blocks per set.

RECORD WATCH
Tallying 18 digs against Hofstra, junior Taylor Austin jumped Meghan Niski (2012-15) for seventh place on JMU's all-time digs chart. The Ashburn, Va. native has racked up 1,143 career digs and is now six digs away from overtaking Danielle Erb (2009-12) for sixth.

UP NEXT
JMU continues its road stand on Sunday, October 2 as the Dukes face Northeastern in CAA action. First serve is scheduled for noon. James Madison returns to Godwin Hall on Friday, Oct. 7 when JMU hosts UNCW at 7 p.m.