Dukes Win Five-Set Thriller to Open 2023 Campaign

Friday, August 25

Harrisonburg, Va.

5 p.m.

James Madison University

1-0,0-0Sun Belt

High Point

0-1,0-0Big South

High Point

James Madison

8/25/2023 9:49:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Behind a strong effort from senior Miëtte Veldman and freshman Olivia Vance, James Madison volleyball opened the 2023 season with a thrilling 3-2 win over High Point on day one of the LD&B Insurance Invitational Friday evening at the Convocation Center.

The Dukes won the five-match bout by scores of 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 20-25, 15-12.

Veldman produced a double-double with 14 kills and 15 digs while also picking up a career-high six service aces. Vance matched Veldman by notching 14 kills of her own in her debut for the Dukes (1-0). Senior Elizabeth Helmich also tallied 12 kills and led the Dukes with a .355 hitting percentage.

The Panthers (0-1) were led by Dylan Maberry, who turned in a match-high 20 kills. As a team, the Panthers outhit JMU .200 to .163, but allowed the hosts to register 16 service aces.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set – JMU 25-21
The two teams fought to a 7-7 tie early on, but back-to-back blocks by Helmich and senior Alex Kwasnik sparked the Dukes, as they pulled away to take the first set, 25-21.

Second Set – JMU 25-18
After trading points to open the set, JMU used a 5-1 spurt for a 9-5 lead. The Dukes used five aces to pull away and nab a two-set lead. As a team, JMU had its best set of the night offensively, with a .286 clip.

Third Set – High Point 25-23
After battling to a 13-13 tie, JMU used a 9-4 run to take a 22-17 lead, nearing a sweep. However, the Panthers responded by claiming eight of the next nine points to steal the frame and extend the match.

Fourth Set – High Point 25-20
HPU carried its momentum into the fourth set. Tied at 10, the visitors stormed ahead with a 9-3 run to lead the Dukes, 19-13. JMU drew within four twice, but the Panthers forced a decisive fifth set with a 25-20 triumph in the fourth.

Fifth Set – JMU 15-12
High Point opened with a 6-4 lead early in the fifth, but back-to-back kills by JMU squared things up at six. HPU responded with three of the next four to lead 9-7, but the Dukes answered with five in a row to seize control. Vance
capped her impressive with her team-tying 14th termination to clinch the match, 15-12.

UP NEXT
JMU is back in action on Saturday, Aug. 26 for day two of LD&B Insurance Invitational, hosting Ohio at 4 p.m. on ESPN+. That match will follow a neutral-site matchup between High Point and UMBC, which is slated for a 12:30 p.m. start.