JMU Advances to Sun Belt Semifinals in Five-Set Triumph

Friday, November 17

Foley, Ala.

5:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. CT)

James Madison University

20-8,12-4Sun Belt

Troy

15-13,12-4Sun Belt

Troy

James Madison

11/17/2023 9:27:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

FOLEY, Ala. – Sophie Davis and Miëtte Veldman finished with 17 kills as James Madison volleyball advanced to the Sun Belt Conference tournament semifinals with a five-set triumph (25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-9) over Troy on Friday evening at the Foley Sports Tourism Center.

The Dukes (20-8) fought off a tough Troy squad for the second straight season in the conference tournament. In 2022, JMU defeated the Trojans in the semifinals on its way to the championship. With the loss, Troy ends its season 15-13.

Veldman and Davis were joined by Elizabeth Helmich (10) in double-figure kills, as the Dukes hit .316 as a team. JMU also outpaced the Trojans in blocks (20-7) and service aces (11-6), as Davis recorded a season-high 10 blocks including seven solo. Setter Rebecca Watkins picked up four service aces and Madilyn O'Toole added three of her own in the victory.

Tori Hester led all players with 26 kills (.357) along with registering 17 digs. Julia Brooks added 19 kills and Amiah Butler pitched in 13 of her own.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: JMU 25-20

An ace from Veldman pushed the JMU lead to 11-7, forcing a Troy timeout.
After a Dukes block extended the lead to 12-7, the Trojans scored five of six and cut the JMU lead to one (12-11).
The teams traded points before three consecutive points gave JMU a 20-16 lead.
After Troy notched two points in a row, the Dukes responded with a 3-0 run, opening the lead to 23-18.
A service ace from O'Toole, her 35th of the season, gave JMU the win in the first set.

Set 2: Troy 25-23

Troy used a 5-0 run to jump ahead 7-4 on a service ace from Janelle Stuempfig.
The Trojans held an 11-8 advantage before a 6-1 run capped off by another ace from O'Toole swung the momentum and gave the Dukes a 14-12 lead.
A Troy attacking error extended the JMU lead to three (19-16), but Troy exploded with a 6-2 run, taking a 22-21 lead on a kill from Stuempfig.
The Trojans were able to even the match at one set apiece on a kill from Tori Hester.

Set 3: JMU 25-21

The Dukes were the first to five as a kill from Kwasnik gave JMU a 5-2 lead.
Four straight from Troy gave the Trojans a 7-6 lead and forced a Dukes' timeout.
Out of the timeout, JMU regained its footing, as kills from Helmich and Davis opened the Dukes' lead to two (11-9).
The Trojans retook a 14-13 lead but a 5-2 run from JMU extended the cushion to three (18-15).
Troy got within three (20-17), but the Dukes held off the Trojans and took a 2-1 sets lead.

Set 4: Troy 25-22

JMU jumped ahead 8-4 thanks to consecutive aces from Watkins.
Troy scored six of nine points, pulling to within one (11-10) on a block.
The Dukes edged ahead 15-12 on a Veldman kill, but the Trojans rattled off five straight and took a 17-15 lead.
Troy's lead grew to five (22-17), but JMU pulled to 22-21 on a solo block and consecutive kills from Davis.
Davis cut it to one again (23-22), but the Trojans rattled off two straight Julia Brooks kills and tied the match at 2-2.

Set 5: JMU 15-9

In a sprint to 15, the Dukes were the first to eight points, as Helmich found the floor to give JMU an 8-4 lead.
The Dukes' lead grew to as many as seven (12-5), but Troy scored four straight to bring the score to 12-9.
Two solo blocks from Davis capped off a thrilling five-set win for JMU, who advanced to the semifinals.

GAME NOTES

Davis' seven solo blocks were a season-high and moved her into a tie with Elizabeth Dean for the most in school history (131). Additionally, her 10 total blocks were a season-best.
Veldman picked up her 12th double-double of the season, finishing with 17 kills and 11 digs.
The win improves JMU's record in the Sun Belt tournament to 4-0.

UP NEXT
JMU will take on the winner of Texas State and Marshall tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. CT). The match will be streamed on ESPN+.