Late Rally Pushes Dukes Past Seahawks

Friday, February 26

Wilmington, N.C.

5 p.m.

James Madison University

2-1,1-0CAA

UNCW

0-3,0-1CAA

JAMES MADISON

UNCW

2/26/2021 8:47:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Wilmington, N.C. – James Madison volleyball (2-1, 1-0) battled through five sets with UNCW (0-3, 0-1) to win its first conference match of the 2020-21 season, on Friday evening.

On the offensive end, three Dukes recorded double digit kills, highlighted by freshman Miëtte Veldman tabbing her first collegiate double-double with 25 kills and 10 digs while adding three blocks on the defensive end for the Dukes. Sophia Davis had 11 kills, Chloe Wilmoth had a season-high of 12. Caroline Dozier set two career-highs with 42 assists and three service aces. Karis Beasley tied her career-high of three service aces.

Savannah Marshall played a huge role for the Dukes on the defensive end, with 23 digs while contributing a service aces as well. Davis led the Dukes in blocks with seven. As a team, JMU had a season-high od 18 blocks, 61 kills and 76 digs.

Set 1

Dukes were in full control, opening with a 6-0 run, and kept the lead for the entire set. The dominate offense pushed the JMU offense to a 25-12 victory. Veldman led the way for JMU with seven kills while Beasley tabbed two service aces.

Set 2

Dozier opened the set with a service ace to give JMU the early lead, but UNCW fought back to lead 13-8 at the first timeout. The Dukes put up three blocks to get within three, 17-14, but could not keep the fire going. UNCW capitalized on errors to clench the 25-17 victory.

Set 3

The Dukes battled back and forth with the Seahawks early in the set, tying it up twice. UNCW took control and turned it into a 14-9 before the first time out. Wilmoth helped JMU stay in the set with three kills to get the team with in three, 23-20. The late momentum was not enough as UNCW captured the third set 25-21 to lead 2-1 over JMU. Davis and Wilmoth led the Dukes with four kills each.

Set 4

JMU went down early, at one point was down 15-8, but battled back to eventually tie it up with UNCW, 18-18. Davis and Helmich leaped for a block, and the Dukes were up 21-20. UNCW would not go down easily as they tied the set up again at 23-23. Veldman tabbed the last two points of the set with a kill and a solo block to push JMU to the 25-23 victory sending the match into the fifth set.

Set 5

JMU battled back and forth with UNCW tying the match up 13 times. Helmich had five big kills to help keep the fire burning for the Dukes, including the one to get JMU to set point. JMU fought hard, recording the 18 digs. Davis closed the deal with a kill to capture the set, 19-17, and a 3-2 victory over the Seahawks.

Next Up

James Madison will take on UNCW on Saturday Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. in Wilmington, N.C.