Dukes Close Season with NCAA First-Round Loss to Colorado

Friday, December 1

Waco, Texas

5:30 P.M. ET

James Madison University

23-6

Colorado

23-9

James Madison

Colorado

Dukes Close Season with NCAA First-Round Loss to Colorado

12/1/2017 9:10:00 PM | Volleyball

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WACO, TEXAS – James Madison volleyball dropped a three-set match to Colorado (21-25, 14-25, 12-25) inside the Ferrell Center during Friday's NCAA First Round.

The Colonial Athletic Association tournament champions closed the season with a 23-6 overall record, the most wins for the program since 1999. Colorado improved to 23-9, and advances to the second round.

MATCH NOTES

Freshman Liv Crawley led the Dukes with six kills, followed by Taylor Gail, Bryn Recker, M'Kaela White and Kelly Vahos who each tallied four.
Sophomore setter, Sarah Martin led the Dukes with 14 assists.
The Dukes tallied 3.0 team blocks, Martin led the way with two, one block assist and one solo block.
Senior libero Taylor Austin garnered 12 digs, followed by Sarah Driscoll who had 10.
The Buffaloes were led by Frankie Shebby who had 12 kills and Brynna DeLuzio who led Colorado with 33 assists.

QUOTING COACH STEINBRECHER
"Obviously kudos to Colorado. They're a very good team and they played great tonight. We had no answer at all for them in sets two and three, but just super proud of our team and the fight we had all year. The opportunity to get here and compete and play, especially these two [Taylor Austin and Bryn Recker], and especially Taylor, our senior libero. Just thankful for everything they gave to our program."

THANK YOU SENIORS
Though they played their final game as Dukes, the JMU senior class left a mark on this program and excelled to new heights in their careers. Senior Taylor Austin ends her career with 2,083 digs, ranking second all-time at JMU and is only one of two players to ever break 2,000. "With everything that Taylor contributed on the court, her intangibles might be the most significant," said Coach Steinbrecher. "She is a passionate, competitive, relentless player that gave her heart and soul to this program throughout her career."

Setter, Amanda Bologna who transferred to JMU as a junior, ends her career as a Duke with 29 assists over 16 sets played and 16 digs. "Only those that are part of the team will ever understand exactly how much Amanda has contributed to this program," said Coach Steinbrecher. "Her ability to be a role model for our younger player speaks volumes to who she is as a person inside and out."

The senior class complied 83-39 record and brought home two CAA Championship titles in 2016 and 2017.