Veldman Tallies 1,000th Career Kill, Dukes Swept by No.8 Pitt

Saturday, September 16

Pittsburgh, Pa. / Fitzgerald Field House

7 p.m.

James Madison University

7-4,0-0Sun Belt

Pitt

7-2,0-0ACC

James Madison

Pittsburgh

Photo by: Pitt Athletics

Veldman Tallies 1,000th Career Kill, Dukes Swept by No.8 Pitt

9/16/2023 8:41:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

PITTSBURGH – Miëtte Veldman registered her 1,000^th career kill, but James Madison volleyball was swept by No.8 Pittsburgh Saturday evening.

The Dukes (7-4) fell in straight sets by scores of 14-25, 15-25, and 8-25. Pitt outhit the Dukes .557-.049 and tallied nine blocks as a team. With the win, the Panthers improved to 7-2.

Veldman totaled six kills, while Sophie Davis chipped in with five kills and one block. With five blocks on the weekend, Davis pushed her career total to 490, five from tying Lizzy Briones (2011-14) for the most in JMU history.

The Panthers' offense was anchored by Olivia Babcock, who finished with 10 kills and four blocks. Valeria Vazquez-Gomez notched eight kills on nine attempts (.889) and Chiamaka Nwokolo added eight kills of her own.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: Pittsburgh 25-14
The Panthers raced out to a 10-3 lead on a Torrey Stafford kill, which forced a JMU timeout. Despite the Dukes' effort to claw back into the set, Pitt continued to stretch their lead. Veldman tallied her 1,000^th kill to make it 21-10, but Pitt closed out the set.

Set 2: Pittsburgh 25-15
Julia McNeley opened the set with a service ace and the two teams battled back and forth early. A Veldman kill cut the Pitt lead to 6-4 and a Brenya Reid kill pulled the Dukes to within 7-5. JMU remained in striking distance as Reid notched another kill to make it 11-7 Pitt. After the Panthers answered with a 3-0 run, the Dukes once again pulled closer on two more kills from Veldman and a service ace from Hannah Roberts. That was the closest JMU would get, as Pitt closed the set on an 11-4 spurt and took a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

Set 3: Pittsburgh 25-8
Pitt overwhelmed the Dukes in the third, as JMU had no answers for the powerful Panther attack. The lead grew to as high as 16-1 before a service error broke the rally. The Dukes were able to muster three straight points on a Davis kill, Veldman kill and a solo block from Veldman to make it 21-6, but the Panthers were able to close out the sweep of the Dukes in convincing fashion.

UP NEXT
The Dukes will open Sun Belt play next weekend, Sept. 22-23 in Boone, N.C., against Appalachian State. Friday's game is slated for 6 p.m., and Saturday's match will take place at 1 p.m.