Dukes Come Back to Win Five-Set Thriller over Hofstra, 3-2

Monday, October 9

Hempstead, N.Y.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

13-2 (4-2CAA)

Hofstra

13-8 (5-2CAA)

James Madison

Hofstra

Dukes Come Back to Win Five-Set Thriller over Hofstra, 3-2

10/9/2017 11:27:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score @JMUVolleyball

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The James Madison volleyball team rallied back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Hofstra in five sets on Monday night in Hempstead, N.Y. The Dukes are 13-2 overall and 4-2 in the CAA. The Pride fell to 13-8 overall and 5-2 in conference action.

MATCH NOTES

The Dukes won 3-2 in set scores of 21-25, 17-25, 25-22, 26-24, 15-13
Three Dukes posted double digit kill performances, led by sophomore M'Kaela White who led the attack with a career-high 19 kills, hitting .517 for the match.
Junior Bryn Recker and redshirt sophomore Kelly Vahos followed behind White with 14 and 11 kills, respectively.
Kelly Vahos posted her second double-double of the season with 11 kills and 10 digs, this is her fourth match this season posting double figures in those respective categories.
Sophomore Sarah Martin (30 sets) and junior Tilbe Yaglioglu (19 sets) split the setting duties for the Dukes.
Three Dukes produced double digit defensive performances in digs, led by Sophomore Sarah Driscoll who tallied 28 for the match. Jacqui Koebel and Kelly Vahos had 12 and 10 digs, respectively.
The Dukes were faced with a match-point in the fourth set as Hofstra led 24-23, but behind a kill from Bryn Recker that just hit the backline, JMU was able to extend the match, winning the next two points.
The Pride had four players produce double-digit kill performances, led by Laura Masciullo who had 22 kills.
The last time the Dukes trailed 2-0 in a match, and came back and won was at Charleston on Oct. 16, 2015. JMU sealed that victory with a 15-9 fifth set win.

CAREER HIGH NIGHT FOR WHITE
Sophomore M'Kaela White led the Dukes attack with a career-high 19 kills, while only committing four errors on 29 attempts. For the match, the Riverdale, Md. product had a .517 hitting percentage. This is White's sixth game this season and of her career with double figure kills.

QUOTING COACH STEINBRECHER
"It always feels good to get the win, but especially when it comes against a really good team like Hofstra. We really had to work hard tonight to pull out the win, and we showed a lot of grit and determination throughout the match. I have to give credit to Hofstra because they came up with some really big plays in key moments. M'Kaela White had a really good night, and our setters did a great job feeding her the ball. Also, I am proud of the way our backline handled first ball contacts, especially Sarah Driscoll in the libero position."

UP NEXT
The Dukes are back at home as they welcome Delaware to the Valley on Friday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. and Towson on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m.