CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (JMU Athletics) – After James Madison took the first set over No. 19 North Carolina, the Tar Heels responded by winning the following three sets for a 3-1 (25-20, 21-25, 18-25, 19-25) victory inside Carmichael Arena on Thursday night in non-conference volleyball action.
UNC (3-0) finished the night with a .336 hitting percentage to the Dukes’ (2-1) .226 effort, while JMU recorded more blocks (12.0-10.0) and service aces (6-3). James Madison will complete its time in Chapel Hill, N.C. with a contest against Colorado State on Saturday at noon.
Kennedy Louisell led the Dukes’ attack with a match-high 15 kills to go with seven digs and a block assist for 15.5 points. Addie Norman tallied career highs in total blocks (9.0), block assists (7), and solo blocks (2) in addition to her nine kills. Freshman Lindsey Large continued her strong collegiate start with a career-best 23 assists, while Wenrich added 17.
Ayen Nhial and Anna Wilson both registered eight kills and five blocks, with Nhial producing a career-high three service aces. Sydney Lewis came away with a team-best nine digs in the loss.
Three Tar Heels finished with double-digit kills: Chelsea Thorpe (14), Safi Hampton (13), and Bridget Malone (11). Zoe Behrendt led all players in assists (31) and tied for the match lead in digs (11) with Malone.
How It Happened
First Set – JMU 25, UNC 21
• After falling behind 3-0 to start the match, the Dukes powered forward, producing three-straight aces to take a 10-7 advantage and force a UNC timeout.
• JMU led by as much as six (17-11), following back-to-back attacking errors by the Tar Heels.
Second Set – UNC 25, JMU 21
• The Dukes held a 21-19 edge before North Carolina closed on a 6-0 run, highlighted by consecutive blocks and a kill by Thorpe to shut the door.
• The chaotic set featured 12 ties and seven lead changes.
Third Set – UNC 25, JMU 18
• UNC carried momentum in the third set, quickly building a 12-6 lead and cruising to a set three victory.
Fourth Set – UNC 25, JMU 19
• The Dukes fought back with four-straight points to go ahead 7-5 in the early going.
• The Tar Heels responded with a 7-1 run for a 12-8 advantage and didn’t look back.
Match Notes
• The Dukes’ victory in the opening set marked the program’s first time taking a set over a ranked team since a 25-20 performance in set two of its loss to No. 14 Penn State on Sept. 3, 2023.
• JMU has recorded more blocks than its opponent in all three matches so far this season.
• Louisell has registered double-digit kills in 34 consecutive matches, doing so in every match as a Duke. Moreover, today’s performance was her 27th with at least 15 kills.
— JMU Athletics —
