News Summary
James Madison University (JMU) volleyball achieved a convincing win against the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, with set scores of 23-25, 25-22, 25-14, and 25-15. This match marked a significant improvement for JMU, bringing their record to 3-4, while Milwaukee remains winless at 0-7. Key players included Kennedy Louisell and Ana Toumazatos, each contributing 17 kills. JMU’s impressive hitting percentage of .338 contrasted with Milwaukee’s .193. The victory highlights JMU’s potential as they prepare for their next match against Marquette.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin – James Madison University (JMU) volleyball achieved a notable victory against the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Friday evening, winning the match with set scores of 23-25, 25-22, 25-14, and 25-15. With this win, JMU improves its overall record to 3-4, while Milwaukee remains winless at 0-7.
The match took place at the Al McGuire Arena, where JMU showcased a strong offensive performance, recording a season-high hitting percentage of .338. In contrast, Milwaukee struggled offensively with a hitting percentage of .193.
Leading the Dukes in scoring were Kennedy Louisell and Ana Toumazatos, each delivering exceptional performances with 17 kills. This match marked a career-high for Toumazatos, who hit .438 with only three errors on 32 attempts. Louisell not only contributed 17 kills but also achieved a double-double with 12 digs—making this her seventh consecutive match with at least 15 kills this season.
JMU’s junior Anna Wilson also had a standout performance, recording a career-high of 9 kills on 16 swings without any errors, resulting in an impressive hitting percentage of .562. In addition to her scoring, Wilson was a significant presence at the net, leading JMU with 4 blocks.
The setting for JMU’s attack was provided by Grace Wenrich and Rebecca Watkins, who tallied 27 and 24 assists respectively. On the defensive side, Julia McNeley played as libero and led the team with 17 digs, solidifying the back line.
Milwaukee’s efforts were highlighted by Josie Noble, who recorded 12 kills, and Natalie Schmitz with 10 kills. Defensively, Bella Lipski was a standout for UWM, leading the team with 6 total blocks.
Match Overview
The match commenced with JMU taking an early lead in the first set at 10-7. However, Milwaukee rallied back to ultimately win the set 25-23. JMU recovered in the second set, pulling off a 25-22 victory after late contributions from Louisell and Wilson.
In the third set, JMU dominated, showcasing their strength with a decisive 25-14 win, including a critical late 6-0 scoring run. The momentum continued into the fourth set, where JMU maintained control and clinched the set 25-15, sealing the match in their favor.
Season Impact and Next Steps
This victory served as a significant boost for JMU, as they recorded a season-low of 14 attacking errors throughout the match. The team’s performance highlighted their potential as they move forward in the season.
JMU’s next challenge will occur on Saturday, September 13, when they face off against Marquette at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT). The upcoming match will test the Dukes’ ability to maintain their momentum and improve their record further.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
JMU Women’s Volleyball Team Secures Victory Over Milwaukee
Additional Resources
- JMU Sports: Louisell, Toumazatos Lift Dukes Past Milwaukee
- UWM Panthers: Panthers Unable to Get Past James Madison
- Rocktown Now: JMU Volleyball Opens Weekend with Win at Milwaukee
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Volleyball
- Google Search: JMU Volleyball
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
