JMU Falls to No. 18 BYU in First Round of NCAA Championship

Friday, December 2

Pittsburgh, Pa.

4 p.m.

James Madison University

24-5,15-1Sun Belt

BYU

22-6,14-3WCC

James Madison

BYU

JMU Falls to No. 18 BYU in First Round of NCAA Championship

12/2/2022 8:15:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

PITTSBURGH – In their first NCAA berth since 2017, James Madison volleyball was swept by No. 18 BYU (25-20, 25-10, 25-15) in the First Round of the NCAA Championship on Friday at the Petersen Event Center.

The Dukes wrapped up the season 24-5 while the Cougars improved to 22-6 and advance to the second round of the NCAA Championship, set to face the winner of the match between Pitt and Colgate.

Bre Reid led the Dukes in kills with 11 and Caroline Dozier recorded 23 assists.

BYU led the match in every category, out hitting JMU .373-.112 and racking up 48 kills over the Dukes' 29. Erin Livingston was a powerhouse for the Cougars, tallying 20 kills, while Whitney Llarenas notched six blocks.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
The Dukes started off the match strong with a 6-1 run to gain a wide lead. They maintained it at 11-6, but BYU caught up and tied the set 12-12 with a 4-0 run. The Cougars racked up kills to end the set and take the lead in the match.

Second Set
BYU earned an early 10-1 lead, only giving up a point on a service error. The Dukes were unable to stop their attacks and fell quickly to the Cougars 25-10.

Third Set
Another early lead for BYU got things started, but JMU did not allow them to break away so early. The Dukes scored points here and there, but the offense of the Cougars was left unmatched.

GAME NOTES
The Dukes had their best season since 1999, ending the season 24-5, while the '99 team went 26-7. In their first season in the Sun Belt, JMU went 15-1 in conference play, won the regular season title and the conference championship and stayed undefeated at home.