James Madison Overcomes 0-2 Hole to End Hofstra’s 5-Match Win-Streak

MATCH STATS

• James Madison def. Hofstra 3-2 (21-25, 17-25, 25-22, 26-24, 15-13)
• James Madison improves to 13-2 (4-2, CAA); Hofstra drops to 13-8 (5-2, CAA)
• Hempstead, New York (CAA Match)
• Attendance: 210
• Box Score

Hempstead, New York– James Madison overcame an 0-2 hole for the come-from-behind five set victory at Hofstra. The win snaps a two match-losing streak for the Dukes who started 12-0, while it also puts a halt to Hofstra’s five-match winning streak.

Hofstra (.221) actually out-hit James Madison (.211) in the match due in large part to their big second set and four point first-set win – which was more than any of the sets that James Madison garnered. Beyond that, Hofstra had more aces (6-3) and blocks (13-12) while James Madison won in digs (68-59).

After Hofstra took the 2-0 set lead on their home court, they even led 14-9 in the third as they went for the sweep. However, a timeout from the Dukes helped them go on a 11-3 run for a lead that they would hold onto at 25-22.

Again in set four Hofstra pulled ahead as they led 18-13. A 5-0 James Madison run changed that but still Hofstra would have a set point opportunity at 24-23. Three straight points that included two Bryn Recker (14 kills, .seven digs, four blocks for the match) kills would switch the lead and force a fifth.

New set, same story as Hofstra jumped in front 6-2 and led 8-5 at the switch. At 9-6 Hofstra, a 6-0 James Madison run came at a timely part of the match before Recker ended things at 15-13.

M’Kaela White led the offense for James Madison with 19 kills and hitting .517 while she chipped in with a team-high seven blocks as Sarah Driscoll (28 digs) patrolled the back row. For Hofstra, Laura Masciullo (22 kills, .230, 11 digs, five blocks) and Michela Rucli (15 kills, .478, six blocks) led the way with Luisa Sydlik (59 assists, eight digs) dishing things out.

Next up, James Madison will face Delaware on Friday night before meeting Towson on Sunday, as both matches are at home. Hofstra on the other hand just has one more match as they host Northeastern.

PRESS RELEASES:

Courtesy of James Madison:

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The James Madison volleyball team rallied back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Hofstra in five sets on Monday night in Hempstead, N.Y. The Dukes are 13-2 overall and 4-2 in the CAA. The Pride fell to 13-8 overall and 5-2 in conference action.

MATCH NOTES

• The Dukes won 3-2 in set scores of 21-25, 17-25, 25-22, 26-24, 15-13
• Three Dukes posted double digit kill performances, led by sophomore M’Kaela White who led the attack with a career-high 19 kills, hitting .517 for the match.
• Junior Bryn Recker and redshirt sophomore Kelly Vahos followed behind White with 14 and 11 kills, respectively.
• Kelly Vahos posted her second double-double of the season with 11 kills and 10 digs, this is her fourth match this season posting double figures in those respective categories.
• Sophomore Sarah Martin (30 sets) and junior Tilbe Yaglioglu (19 sets) split the setting duties for the Dukes.
• Three Dukes produced double digit defensive performances in digs, led by Sophomore Sarah Driscoll who tallied 28 for the match. Jacqui Koebel and Kelly Vahos had 12 and 10 digs, respectively.
• The Dukes were faced with a match-point in the fourth set as Hofstra led 24-23, but behind a kill from Bryn Recker that just hit the backline, JMU was able to extend the match, winning the next two points.
• The Pride had four players produce double-digit kill performances, led by Laura Masciullo who had 22 kills.
• The last time the Dukes trailed 2-0 in a match, and came back and won was at Charleston on Oct. 16, 2015. JMU sealed that victory with a 15-9 fifth set win.

CAREER HIGH NIGHT FOR WHITE
Sophomore M’Kaela White led the Dukes attack with a career-high 19 kills, while only committing four errors on 29 attempts. For the match, the Riverdale, Md. product had a .517 hitting percentage. This is White’s sixth game this season and of her career with double figure kills.

QUOTING COACH STEINBRECHER
“It always feels good to get the win, but especially when it comes against a really good team like Hofstra. We really had to work hard tonight to pull out the win, and we showed a lot of grit and determination throughout the match. I have to give credit to Hofstra because they came up with some really big plays in key moments. M’Kaela White had a really good night, and our setters did a great job feeding her the ball. Also, I am proud of the way our backline handled first ball contacts, especially Sarah Driscoll in the libero position.”

UP NEXT
The Dukes are back at home as they welcome Delaware to the Valley on Friday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. and Towson on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m.

Courtesy of Hofstra:

Hempstead, NY – Sophomore Laura Masciullo had 22 kills and 11 digs for her fourth double-double of the season for the Hofstra Volleyball team, but James Madison rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the match to defeat the Pride in five sets on Monday evening at the David S. Mack Physical Education Center.

Sophomore Luisa Sydlik added a career-best 59 assists in the match, along with eight digs and a career-high five blocks, but Hofstra fell to 13-8 and 5-2 in Colonial Athletic Association play with the defeat. The loss ended a five-match win streak for the Pride. James Madison, which won by set scores of 21-25, 17-25, 25-22, 26-24 and 15-13, improved to 13-2 and 4-2 in conference action.

The Pride hit over .300 in each of the first two sets in jumping out to the lead in the contest. Similar to Hofstra’s last match on Saturday against William & Mary, the opponent came out of the break with the momentum and sent the contest to a decisive fifth stanza. Unlike Saturday, Hofstra was unable to stem the tide tonight as JMU held the Pride to a .033 attack percentage in the final set to earn the narrow win.

Junior Michela Rucli added a season-high 15 kills in the match for Hofstra, which also got 13 kills and 10 digs from freshman Ivania Ortiz. M’Kaela White led the Dukes with 19 kills and seven blocks, while Sarah Driscoll posted 28 digs in the contest for JMU.

Hofstra returns to action on Sunday when it hosts Northeastern at 1 p.m.

NOTES
– Hofstra leads the all-time series with James Madison, 24-14.
– Sydlik’s previous career-high of 58 assists came against Villanova on August 26 of this season. Her previous career-high of four blocks came against UNCW back on September 24 of this season.
– The double-double was Ortiz’s team-leading sixth of the season.
– Freshman Emma Price had a strong match with 12 kills for the Pride.