Dukes Drop Season Home Opener to Blue Hens

Sunday, February 14

Harrisonburg, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

0-1,0-0CAA

Delaware

1-0,0-0CAA

Delaware

JAMES MADISON

2/14/2021 4:38:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Harrisonburg, Va. – James Madison volleyball battled against Delaware in the season opener bouncing back to win the third set but fell to the Blue Hens in four sets, 3-1 (18-25, 22-25, 25-23, 22-25), on Sunday afternoon.

Sophomore Danielle Nathan was the only Duke to hit double-digits for kills, with 10, while sophomore Sophia Davis, put up nine kills and six total blocks, four solos, for JMU. On the defensive end Savannah Marshall helped the Dukes with 19 digs.

Set One

JMU fell behind the Blue Hens 6-10, before finding their moment, including the two big service aces from Karis Beasley to put the Dukes up 14-12. Freshman Miëtte Veldman added two kills to keep the Dukes in the set. JMU's defensive struggles allowed the Blue Hens to clench the set, 25-18.

Set Two

The Dukes had a slow start in the second set trailing 3-8 before taking their first timeout. Nathan recorded four kills, Davis put up three to help the team. Late in the second set, Davis made a solo block that put JMU down 1, 20-21. Ultimately the Dukes dropped the set, 22-25 to push the Blue Hens to a 2-0 lead.

Set Three

JMU found themselves in a similar starting place, down 5-10 at the second timeout. Freshman Elizabeth Helmich helped shift the momentum in the Dukes' favor with two kills and a solo block to take the lead 19-17. Nathan contributed back-to-back kills to keep the fire going. Sophomore Chloe Wilmoth made her debut with consecutive kills to secure the set for JMU, 25-22.

Set Four

The Dukes found themselves in another hole, 6-11 at the second timeout. Helmich and Davis each record three kills, but ball handling errors hurt the team this set. The teams battled back and forth coming down to 22-23, Blue Hens' serve. A service ace, followed by a kill pushed the Blue Hens to 22-25 to win the match 3-1.

Up Next

James Madison will travel to Newark, Del. on Feb. 19 to face off with the Blue Hens at 5 p.m.