University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
10-11, 3-3CAA
James Madison
10-9, 2-4CAA
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison | 23 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 10 | 2 |
| Delaware | 25 | 17 | 25 | 18 | 15 | 3 |
Blue Hen Volleyball Holds Off James Madison, 3-2, in Five-Set Thriller
10/12/2014 4:23:00 PM | Volleyball
NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware volleyball team won seven of the final nine points during the deciding fifth set as the Blue Hens claimed a 3-2 thriller over Colonial Athletic Association rival James Madison Sunday afternoon at the Bob Carpenter Center.
Delaware, which won its second straight match while improving to 10-11 overall and 3-3 in league play, captured the victory by set scores of 25-23, 17-25, 25-22, 18-25, 15-10. The Dukes dropped their fourth consecutive match, falling to 10-9 overall and 2-4 in the conference.
The Blue Hens jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the fifth set, but JMU quickly answered with five straight points to pull even. However Chandler Bryant responded with a kill, before two service aces by Autumn Jenkins put Delaware back up three. The Blue Hens would not trail from there, putting the match away on a Katie Hillman kill.
UD sophomore Alexa Swann tied her career-high by posting 16 kills, as she hit .303 for the match while also pacing the squad with six blocks. Bryant chipped in with 15 kills and four blocks, while Hillman recorded her second consecutive double-double with 14 kills and 12 digs.
Sophomore setter Julia Anderson handed out 56 assists while making a season-high 13 digs on the afternoon, while classmate Taylor Hollingsworth led Delaware with 23 digs.
Kate Whitmire slammed a match-high 18 kills for the Dukes, while MacKenzie Kleespies led all players with 29 digs.
Bonnie KennyDelaware erased a 21-16 deficit by closing the first set on a 9-2 run to jump in front, but the Dukes led for a majority of the second set to pull even. The Blue Hens posted a three-point victory in the third frame before JMU responded in the fourth, setting up the dramatic fifth set.
“Our serving was great in the fifth set, which made it easy for me to block,” Swann said. “Our team has struggled in the past sustaining momentum, but today we were able to bounce back to win it, so it's good that we're progressing in that area.”
Delaware will look to extend its winning streak to three on Thursday when the Blue Hens travel to UNCW for a 7 p.m. match with the Seahawks.
Match Notes:
• Hillman notched her team-leading sixth double-double of the season
• Anderson recorded her second double-double in the last four matches
• UD snapped a two-matching losing streak to the Dukes
• Delaware reached the double figure wins mark for the 12th consecutive year
