WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – James Madison volleyball remains the lone undefeated Colonial Athletic Association team after sweeping William & Mary, 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-18), Monday evening in Kaplan Arena.
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The Dukes (14-3, 6-0 CAA) took a quick edge as they captured the first set on a nine-point advantage. The Tribe (5-10, 1-5 CAA) tried to stay in the match, going into the second frame on a hot streak before JMU came from behind to steal the second-set victory.
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Senior
Taylor Gail posted a team-leading 10 kills while junior
Sarah Martin led the match with 35 assists.
Defensively, junior
Sarah Driscoll recorded a match-high 14 digs and junior
M'Kaela White led the way with four blocks.
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MATCH NOTES
- Four Dukes hit above a .300: Gail (.500),
Kelly Vahos (.444), White (.385) and
Bryn Recker (.333).
- In addition to her excellent hitting percentage, Vahos was the only player in tonight's match to not register an attack error.
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Jacqui Koebel, White, Driscoll and Martin all tallied a service ace.
- This is the sixth match on the season that, as a squad, the Dukes have hit over a .300. JMU hit .410 in the first set and .400 in the third.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- Beginning the match with three consecutive points, the Dukes never allowed the Tribe more than three points at a time in the first. After JMU jumped up to a nine-point lead, the teams traded points before a Vahos kill snatched the first-set victory for the Purple and Gold.
- On the comeback, William & Mary started the second with a 7-2 run that was broken by its own attack error. Fighting the rest of the set, the Dukes played catch up, taking the edge with a six-point streak – three points came from Gail kills – and ultimately the second frame.
- Things were tight in the final set, but the Dukes found their stride, going on a 6-1 run to give the Tribe on six-point deficit from which they could not recover. WM was able to curb one match point, but Gail secured the sweep with one final kill.
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UP NEXT
JMU will return to the 'Burg to host College of Charleston on Friday, October 12. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.
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