Dukes Split First Day of Tropical Smoothie Invitational

Friday, August 24

Harrisonburg, Va.

12:30 p.m.

James Madison University

Fairfield

0-1

Fairfield

James Madison

8/24/2018 11:08:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Match One Box Score Match Two Box Score Match One Photo Gallery Match Two Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – In its debut matches of the 2018 campaign, James Madison volleyball split the first day of the Tropical Smoothie Invitational. After kicking off the season with a three-set win (25-18, 25-20, 25-19) over the Fairfield Stags, the Dukes forced five sets against the Wichita State Shockers but fell in a heartbreaking fashion (27-25, 25-18, 21-25, 24-26, 19-17).

The Dukes now hold a 1-1 record on the season after handing the Stags (0-1) their first lost, while the Shockers improved to 1-0.

Senior Bryn Recker led the Dukes' offense with 26 kills on the day, notching double-doubles in both matches. Junior Sarah Martin added a total 79 assists while junior Sarah Driscoll tallied 42 digs.

MATCH ONE NOTES
- With 11 kills on the match, Bryn Recker notched the 41st match of her career that featured kills in the double-digits.
- Leading the match, Sarah Martin posted 37 assists and Sarah Driscoll tallied 15 digs.
- Jacqui Koebel (13) and Recker (11) added double-digit kills to the Dukes' efforts.
- in her collegiate debut, freshman Sierra Gray registered a game-high three service aces.
- With eight kills on 14 total attempts, M'Kaela White posted a .571 hitting percent.
- JMU produced 42 kills to Fairfield's 29.
- Taylor Gail posted seven total blocks, including two solo blocks on back-to-back points.
- As a squad, the Dukes hit .304 for their first win of the season.

MATCH ONE HIGHLIGHTS

MATCH TWO NOTES
- The Dukes notched 16.0 total team blocks.
- M. White had 10 total blocks, including three solo blocks, while Gail registered five blocks.
- With 42 assists, Martin achieved a new career record, beating her 41 assists at Cornell in 2016. The setter also matched her career-high seven digs, slating a .400 attack percentage on 15 attempts.
- Junior Briley Brind'Amour hit team-high 15 kills – the 12th time in her career she has notched double-digit kills.

UP NEXT
The Dukes return to the court tomorrow, Aug. 25, to conclude the Tropical Smoothie Invitational. JMU plays Delaware State at 12:30 p.m., then will battle Missouri at 7:30 p.m.