Dukes Drop Match to South Alabama

Thursday, November 9

Mobile, Ala.

7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT)

James Madison University

19-7,12-3Sun Belt

South Alabama

20-7,11-4Sun Belt

James Madison

South Alabama

11/9/2023 11:02:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. – James Madison volleyball was swept by South Alabama in a Sun Belt volleyball tilt on Thursday evening.

The Dukes (19-8, 12-3 Sun Belt) fell by set scores of 17-25, 18-25 and 19-25. The Jaguars, who hit .337 as a team, improved to 20-7 and 11-4 against league competition.

Senior Miëtte Veldman led JMU with 11 kills and nine digs, while classmate Elizabeth Helmich added nine kills. Sophie Davis recorded seven kills on 15 attempts (.400) along with two blocks.

The duo of Hannah Maddux (14) and Abryanna Cannon (13) paced the Jaguars' attack, combining for 27 kills, while Maddie Soboleski joined them in double-figure kills, finishing with 10. USA held JMU to a .167 hitting percentage on the heels of nine total blocks.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: South Alabama 25-17

The Jaguars captured early momentum to build a 15-7 lead into the media timeout.
JMU scored three out of the timeout, cutting the deficit to five (15-10), but the Jaguars responded with a 3-0 run of its own, pushing the lead back to 18-10.
The Dukes were unable to get any closer, as South Alabama convincingly took the first set.

Set 2: South Alabama 25-18

South Alabama forced a JMU timeout after jumping out to an 8-4 lead.
The Dukes cut the Jaguars' advantage to one (10-9), but South Alabama rattled off five of the next six points, taking a 15-10 lead.
A double block from Alex Kwasnik and Rebecca Watkins and a kill from Helmich brought the Dukes to within one (18-17).
South Alabama finished the set on an 8-1 run, taking the 2-0 sets lead.

Set 3: South Alabama 25-19

A dump set from Watkins gave the Dukes a quick 4-1 edge in the third.
A service ace from Jaydyn Clemmer extended the JMU lead to 10-5, but USA fired off five straight to tie the set at 10.
The two teams traded points to a 15-15 tie before South Alabama reeled off four of five, grabbing a 19-16 lead.
The Dukes did not threaten the rest of the way as the Jaguars took the match 3-0.

GAME NOTES

With two block assists, Davis moved one assist away from tying Lizzy Brione's school record of 434.

UP NEXT
A rematch between the Dukes and Jaguars will take place tomorrow at 7 p.m., as both teams will wrap up their regular season. The match can be streamed on ESPN+.