ELON, N.C. – Elon volleyball rallied after being down two set to zero, but fell to James Madison in a five-set thriller on Saturday, Oct. 9 at Schar Center.

"We could've died at three [sets] and been like 'okay let's just go to tomorrow' but they didn't, they have too much pride to do that and they have too much confidence in themselves," head coach Mary Tendler said. "They knew they could play better and they did so I'm proud of them for that."
 
Elon 2, James Madison 3 (21-25, 15-25, 25-23, 26-24, 10-15)
THE RUNDOWN
The Dukes (10-3, 4-1 CAA) built an early 5-1 lead in the opening set, but three JMU attack errors and a Jordan Gower service ace allowed the Phoenix (10-7, 5-2) to take control at 8-7. The visitors retook the lead 20-15 thanks to a 6-1 swing, but three kills from Sydney Love helped close the gap at 21-19. Elon was unable to pull any closer though as JMU claimed the set, 25-21.

JMU scored five unanswered points to go up 8-4 early in Set Two. The Dukes then put together another 4-0 to push their lead to 16-10. The maroon and gold couldn't slow down the JMU attack, and the away team took another set 25-15.

Elon finally found its rhythm in the third set. Leah Daniel capped of a 4-0 run that gave the Phoenix the lead, 14-11. Another pair of Love kills highlighted yet another 4-0 push that made it a 19-13 Elon advantage. The Dukes battled back to within a point at 22-21 and again at 24-23, but Haylie Clark assisted Kellyn Trowse to earn the set point.

Set Four was close from start to finish. Multiple JMU errors and an Alex VanWestrienen service ace allowed Elon to pull away, 23-18. However, the Dukes came up with a 4-0 response and pulled even at 24-24. Clark then set up Natalie Cummins and Trowse for back-to-back kills to force a decisive set.

Clark and Daniel found success with a pair of kills to open the fifth set. Cummins converted an attempt for the 3-1 lead, but JMU strung together a 7-0 run and never looked back. A couple of late blocks by Cummins cut the visitor lead to 13-10, but the Dukes earned the next two points for the 15-10 final.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Clark posted a double-double with 45 assists and 10 digs. Love led the Phoenix in offensive production with 15 kills, while the senior outside hitter combo of Daniel and Trowse combined for 25 kills. Gower stood strong against the imposing JMU attack, digging the ball a team-high 22 times. VanWestrienen and Daniel neared double-digit digs with nine and eight, respectively. Cummins led the team in blocking with four blocks, and Krzeminski and Clark both contributed three.

"After a poor start, we gave ourselves an opportunity to win the match," continued Tendler. "It's tough when you're down 0-2 to keep the momentum on your side; there is no margin for error. JMU played a good, consistent match and deserved the win. We look forward to getting back on the court tomorrow."
 
NOTES
- JMU extends its lead in the all-times series, 15-1.
- The Dukes outhit the Phoenix, .281-.182.
- The match featured 27 ties, including 14 in the fourth set, and 15 lead changes.
- JMU is now atop the CAA standings, while Towson moves into second after recording a 3-2 win at Charleston today. Elon now finds itself in third place.
- Daniel is now three kills shy of 1,100 for her career.
- Today was the second match in a row that Clark has tallied over 40 assists.
- Love's 15 kills mark a new career high.

UP NEXT
The Phoenix seeks redemption against James Madison tomorrow at 2:00pm in Schar Center.