SBU Sports: Volleyball prevails in five sets over James Madison University
It was a victorious opening weekend for the Stony Brook volleyball team as they secured a five-set win over James Madison University in Harrisburg, PA on Aug. 31.The Seawolves were led by double-doubles from Quinn Anderson, who had 15 kills and 13 digs and Leoni Kunz, who had 12 kills and 16 digs. The win improved the Seawolves’ overall record to 3-0 on the season, their first 3-0 start since the 2006 season.
Offensively, Kunz recorded her 16th double-double of her career while Anderson tallied her first in just her third collegiate outing. Kali Moore also added 16 kills to help the offense. Torri Henry dished out 48 assists to bring her invitational total to 139. On the defensive end, Julia Patsos chipped in with 19 digs to go with six blocks from Ayanna Pierre Louis.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 | The Seawolves found themselves in an early deficit, dropping a tough first set 25-12. Stony Brook trailed by as many as 13 points as JMU never surrendered the lead in a set that didn’t have a single tie before the Dukes took control.
SET 2 | Stony Brook rallied after dropping the first set to take the second set 25-21, evening the match at one set apiece. The Seawolves grabbed control of the set lead early on, at 6-5, and held the lead the rest of the way. Stony Brook led by as many as six points at 21-15 before closing out the set, totaling 16 kills while only notching two attack errors in the process. Stony Brook’s front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four JMU attacks in the stanza.
SET 3 | JMU took a 2-1 match lead after taking down the Seawolves in the third set by a score of 25-20. JMU grabbed the advantage for good at 15-14 in a set that was tied up 10 times before the Dukes took over in the second half.
SET 4 | Stony Brook then responded to secure set four 25-23 to force a fifth set. A strong performance on the attacking side led the Seawolves to victory in the set. Stony Brook put together a .378 attack percentage with 17 kills in the set win. After the lead changed hands five times, the Seawolves took control for good at 24-23 and rode that advantage to victory. Stony Brook got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked five JMU attacks.
SET 5 | Down two sets to one, Stony Brook fought back to win sets four and five, culminating in a 15-9 fifth-set victory, to take the match 3-2. The Seawolves took control of the set-five lead at 3-2 and never looked back. Stony Brook ended strong, opening its biggest lead of six points, to finish off the set.
STATS AND NOTES
- This marked the second time in program history that the Seawolves and Dukes met, and the first time since August 30, 2019. Stony Brook improved to 1-1 all-time against JMU.
- Freshman outside hitter Quinn Anderson and graduate student outside hitter Leoni Kunz each registered double-doubles in the win.
- Junior outside hitter Kali Moore had a team-high 16 kills for Stony Brook.
- Graduate student setter Torri Henry recorded 48 assists in the victory, adding 14 digs, four kills, four blocks, and one ace.
- Graduate student libero Julia Patsos led the Seawolves with 19 digs.
- Sophomore middle blocker Ayanna Pierre Louis tied her career-high with six blocks.
- With the win, the Seawolves start their season at 3-0 overall; the first time since the 2006 season.
“The fight in our group this weekend was incredible,” stated head coach Kristin Belzung postgame. “Today was a cat and mouse match and we made adjustments throughout both offensively and defensively. I’m so proud of our team for competing throughout and taking care of each other.”The team returns to action next weekend as they travel upstate to take on Buffalo, UConn, and Colgate in the Ellis Rowland Memorial Tournament. Friday’s match will begin at 4 p.m. with coverage available on ESPN+. Saturday and Sunday both have first serve scheduled for 2 p.m.
