Dukes Outlast UC San Diego in Five-Set Thriller

Thursday, September 12

Harrisonburg, Va.

6 p.m.

James Madison University

3-3,0-0Sun Belt

UC San Diego

5-2,0-0Big West

UC San Diego

James Madison

9/12/2024 10:40:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Olivia Vance tied a career-high 14 kills as James Madison volleyball outlasted UC San Diego, 25-18, 25-18, 22-25, 17-25, 15-9, on Thursday evening inside the Convocation Center to open the Erie Insurance Invitational.

JMU improved to 3-3 while UCSD fell to 5-2. The Dukes edged the Tritons in kills (56-49) and finished with 10 service aces, including four in the fifth set. Sophomore Rebecca Watkins matched a career-high five aces - including three in the fifth set - along with picking up a season-high 30 assists.

Vance's 14 kills came on an efficient 23 swings as the sophomore finished with a .522 hitting percentage. Redshirt senior Miëtte Veldman tallied a season-high 19 kills while also totaling 10 digs for her second double-double of the season.

Defensively, Savanah Cockrill and Annie Smith continued their strong starts to the season, leading the JMU block with seven apiece. As a team, the Dukes held the Tritons to a season-low .147 hitting percentage.

For UC San Diego, Ava McInnes led things offensively with 16 kills and six aces, while Molly McCluskey registered 10 kills and 13 digs. Setter Audrey Hollis picked up 34 assists while Jasmine Saran and Emily McDaniel each recorded six blocks.

How It Happened
First Set: James Madison 25-18

The first set remained tight until the media timeout, with UCSD holding a slim 15-14 edge.
JMU took control of the set with a 9-2 run, taking a 23-17 lead and forcing a Tritons timeout.
Kills from Veldman and Smith closed out the first set for the Dukes.
JMU hit an efficient .310 in the first while holding UCSD to a .032 clip.

Second Set: James Madison 25-18

It was a back-and-forth affair early in the second as the teams worked to a 10-10 tie.
JMU jumped ahead 15-11 on a kill from Vance and continued to extend its lead. Veldman picked up a kill to put the Dukes ahead 21-15.
After UCSD scored two straight, JMU put away the Tritons with an ace and kill from Veldman and kills from Vance and Smith.

Third Set: UC San Diego 25-22

UC San Diego jumped ahead quickly in the third, forcing a James Madison timeout and leading 7-1.
JMU clawed back into it with a 4-0 run (10-8) and eventually took a 15-14 lead on a Tritons' attacking error.
UCSD controlled the set from then on, using an 8-1 run to go ahead 21-16 and extend the match.
The Tritons stymied the Dukes' attack in the set, holding the home team to a .108 hitting percentage.

Fourth Set: UC San Diego 25-17

UCSD continued to roll, gaining an 11-8 lead on a Veldman attacking error.
The Tritons kept the Dukes at bay with strong defense. A Veldman kill cut the deficit to six (21-15), but the visitors pulled away to force a fifth.

Fifth Set: James Madison 15-9

After falling behind 3-0, JMU stormed back with five straight points. Vance collected two kills and a block and Smith picked up an ace to spark the run.
UCSD fought back, taking a 7-6 lead on a setting error, and held a 9-8 lead on a kill from McInnes.
It was all Dukes from there as JMU rattled off seven straight points to end the match. Rebecca Watkins picked up three service aces and Veldman two kills.

Match Notes

Watkins' five aces matched a career high, which she previously achieved against Oregon on Sept. 15, 2023.
With her 19 kills and 10 digs, Veldman picked up her second double-double of the season. She now sits fourth on the JMU career kills list with 1,373, passing Lindsay Callahan (2007-10).
Jaydyn Clemmer picked up 16 digs, pushing her career total to 1,098, now 10th in program history.

Up Next
JMU returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 14 when it hosts High Point at 6 p.m. The match will stream on ESPN+, with David Hulvey on the call.