Dukes Fall to Ohio in Straight Sets

Saturday, August 26

Harrisonburg, Va.

4 p.m.

James Madison University

1-1,0-0Sun Belt

Ohio

1-1,0-0MAC

Ohio

James Madison

8/26/2023 7:12:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – A strong defensive effort and key scoring runs gave way for Ohio to sweep James Madison volleyball, 3-0, on day two of the LD&B Insurance Invitational on Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center.

The Bobcats won the match by scores of 25-23, 25-17 and 27-25 to improve to 1-1 on the young season, while the Dukes dropped to 1-1. Coupled with High Point's 3-1 win over UMBC in the first match Saturday, every team is 1-1 this weekend entering tomorrow's final day.

Senior Miëtte Veldman led the Dukes with her second straight double-double, turning in 12 kills and 11 digs. Jadyn Clemmer also led the Dukes with 13 digs, while freshman Olivia Vance and redshirt senior Sophie Davis added nine kills apiece.

Davis also moved into a tie for third place on JMU's career lists for both total blocks and solo blocks. Her team-leading four blocks moved her into a tie with Debbie Prince (1992-95), as both now have 453 total blocks. She surpassed both M'Kaela White (2016-19 – 450) and Taylor Gail (2015-18 – 451) on the blocks list. Davis also matched Beth Tyson (1994-97) with 95 career solo blocks.

Ohio was led by the duo of Caitlyn O'Farrell and Torre Kildow, as they record 13 and 11 kills, respectively. Each Bobcat also tied for match-high honors with five total blocks, while Kildow led all players with 14 digs.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set – Ohio 25-23
The visitors jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead, aided by back-to-back aces from Sam Steele. Despite falling behind, JMU cut the deficit to two on a block by senior Elizabeth Helmich, to make it 11-9. A Veldman kill staved off one match point, but the Bobcats finished off the set, 25-23, on the ensuing point.

Second Set – Ohio 25-17
Ohio once again jumped ahead early, but a Veldman termination tied it up at five apiece. The set remained deadlocked, with the two teams tied at 12 on a Vance kill. However, the Bobcats scored eight of the next nine points to pull ahead 20-13, a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Third Set – Ohio 27-25
A Kam Hunt kill opened up a 9-4 Ohio lead, but the Dukes battled back with a 6-2 run to pull within one point, at 11-10. The Bobcats responded with three quick points to open up a 14-10 lead, but once again JMU battled back. A Davis kill gave the Dukes their first lead of the set, 23-22, but Ohio answered back with two kills. After a Vance kill tied it at 25, a JMU service error set up the match-clinching kill by O'Farrell.

UP NEXT
The Dukes take on UMBC in their third and final match at the LB&B Insurance Invitational on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. Prior to the finale, Ohio takes on High Point in a neutral-site bout at 11:30 a.m.