Tribe Falls to JMU, 3-1, in CAA Tournament Quarterfinals

11/16/07 7:30PM

Newark, Del. - The William and Mary volleyball team fell to James Madison, 3-1 (23-30, 30-19, 30-28, 30-21), in the CAA Tournament quarterfinals on Friday evening in Newark, Del. It was the final match for Head Coach Debbie Hill, who has announced she will retire after an outstanding 30-year career at the College.

Sophomore Jillian Brown led the Tribe with a team-high 12 kills, while junior Kim Mount totaled 43 assists. Junior Jill Nowadly finished with 15 digs, and freshman Ginny Bray registered five total blocks.

The Tribe got off to a great start in the initial game, as it scored seven of the first eight points to build a 7-1 lead. W&M continued to maintain a comfortable advantage midway through the set and led 14-6 following a kill by Powell. Shortly thereafter, JMU rattled off a 5-1 run to narrow the margin to 18-15, but the Tribe answered the Dukes’ charge and led by at least four the rest of the way. W&M hit .325 (18-5-40) as a team in the first frame, while Skipper led the squad with five kills on a .500 attack percentage (5-0-10).

In a reversal of the first game, it was JMU that jumped out to the early lead, 5-1, in the second set. The Dukes were unable to extend its advantage, though, and the teams remained within a few points midway through the frame. Ahead by just two, 14-12, James Madison began to push ahead with a 3-0 spurt, forcing W&M to take a timeout. Following the break in action, JMU utilized a 7-1 run to build a double-digit lead and went on to claim the set.

As was the case in the first game, the Tribe took a 7-1 lead in the third set. The Dukes gradually fought back, and trailed by just two, 13-11, before the Green and Gold responded with three consecutive points. Shortly thereafter, however, JMU utilized a 5-0 run to knot the score at 17-17. Neither team was able to pull away down the stretch, but the Dukes recorded the final pair of scores to earn the narrow two-point win.

Trailing 8-7 in the fourth game, James Madison built a four-point lead with five straight points. Although the Tribe trailed by just two, 18-16, the Dukes charged ahead with a 7-1 run en route to earning the game and the match.

Box Score