Blue Hens Drop Conference Tilt to James Madison

Sunday, September 19

Newark, Del.

1 PM

University of Delaware

5-6, 0-2CAA

James Madison

8-2, 2-0CAA

JMU

Delaware

Grace Underwood attacks versus James Madison

Photo by: Mark Campbell

9/19/2021 4:15:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware volleyball team dropped a five-set CAA match to James Madison on Sunday afternoon.

"I know the outcome is not what we wanted, but there are so many positives we can take from the weekend," head coach Sara Matthews said. "James Madison was picked to finished second in the conference and the fact that we were playing with them so intensely for two straight matches with opportunities to win shows we are on the cusp. Now we just need to step up and finish when we have the chance. I love this team and wouldn't want to battle with anyone else. I know we will capitalize on our opportunities in the future."

Three Blue Hens (5-6, 0-2 CAA) recorded double-digit kills led by Lani Mason's 18. The junior hit .317 and posted a double-double, adding 10 digs to her stat line against the Dukes (8-2, 2-0 CAA). Savannah Seemans notched 12 kills to pair with 14 digs, while Grace Underwood hit a team-best .562 en route to tallying 10 kills.

Ezgi Basaranlar had a season-best 52 assists and finished with 11 digs and six blocks. Katie Turner led the Blue Hens in digs with 18.

SET ONE
The opening set was a back-and-forth affair and the two sides were even at 19-19. A 5-1 Delaware run gave the Blue Hens a 24-20 advantage, but the Dukes climbed right back into the match with three unanswered. However, Kirah Johnson and Seemans combined for a block to seal the 25-23 win.

SET TWO
The second set played out similar to the first as both sides continuously traded points. The Blue Hens earned match point after Underwood and Seemans combined for a block, but James Madison countered with a 4-1 run to grab the 27-25 victory.

SET THREE
The Dukes led by four, 11-7, before Delaware got into a rhythm. The Blue Hens went on a 10-3 run to go ahead by three. However, with the Dukes later trailing by two, 22-20, James Madison outscored the Blue Hens, 5-1 the rest of the way to win the set, 25-23.

SET FOUR
James Madison controlled the fourth set and led late, 23-19. However, a block by Lauryn Richardson and Johnson sparked a 6-0 Delaware run as the Blue Hens rallied to win the set, 25-23.

SET FIVE
The Dukes opened the final set on a 13-4 run. Delaware countered with four unanswered to trim the deficit to five, 13-8, but James Madison closed it out to win 15-8.

UP NEXT
Delaware will trek to Elon, N.C., next weekend for a pair of CAA tilts against Elon on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's match is slated for 7 p.m., while Sunday's is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.