JMU seniors reach milestones in volleyball loss

Daily Staff Reports - sports@nvdaily.com

JMU senior outside hitters Danielle Erb and Natalie Abel each reached career milestones, however Seton Hall rallied for a 3-1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-19) decision over the Dukes volleyball team at Sinclair Gymnasium/Godwin Hall on Saturday.

Seton Halls improved to 2-0 on the season. JMU dropped both of its matches to open its season at 1-2 overall.

Erb became the 10th player in school history to surpass 1,000 career kills while Abel became the eighth player to reach 1,000 career digs. Both players finished with doubles-doubles to pace the Dukes on Saturday night. Abel had a match-high 21 kills on .220 hitting and added 13 digs, two assists and an ace. Erb picked up 14 kills on .205 hitting. She added 11 digs and three blocks.

Also reaching the double digit kill mark were senior middle blocker Lizzy Briones and freshman outside hitter Meghan Niski with 10 each. Briones had a team-high four blocks while Niski finished with a double-double with a team-best 14 digs. Senior setter Megan Wiechmann added 53 assists, 11 digs and three blocks while freshman libero MacKenzie Kleespies added 13 digs in her first career start.

The Dukes are back in action next week as they travel to Long Beach, Calif., for a three-day, three-game tournament. JMU plays Long Beach State, Wisconsin and Cal. St. Northridge in the Long Beach St. Mizuno Invitational.