On Friday evening, the James Madison Dukes faced off against Texas State in a thrilling five-set match. Despite Kennedy Louisell’s remarkable achievement of setting a single-season kills record for the Dukes, JMU fell short with a score of 3-2 at the Convocation Center.
Kennedy Louisell Sets JMU Kills Record
Kennedy Louisell made history by recording 20 kills during the match, bringing her season total to 555. This achievement allows her to surpass Janey Goodman’s previous record in the Division I era, which began in 1986. Louisell’s performance marked her 12th match of the season with 20 or more kills.
Match Overview
The match was held in front of a record-breaking crowd of 937 fans, marking the highest attendance for a JMU home match since at least 2005. The Dukes ended their regular season with a commendable 20-8 record, including a 13-3 performance in the Sun Belt Conference.
Set Breakdown
- First Set: JMU won 25-18, capitalizing on Texas State’s errors to secure the lead.
- Second Set: Texas State responded with a 25-19 victory, leveling the match.
- Third Set: The Bobcats dominated, winning 25-13 and showcasing effective service pressure.
- Fourth Set: JMU fought back to claim the set 25-22 with crucial contributions from Louisell.
- Fifth Set: Texas State clinched the match, winning 15-8 after establishing an early lead.
Key Player Performances
Alongside Louisell, teammates Addie Norman contributed nine kills, while Ayen Nhial added seven, hitting an impressive .429. For Texas State, Samantha Wunsch led with 20 kills and a striking .485 hitting percentage.
Match Statistics
| Team | Kills | Hitting Percentage | Digs | Aces |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison | 54 | .207 | 46 | 12 |
| Texas State | 66 | .316 | 48 | 5 |
Looking Ahead
The Dukes are set to enter the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the Sun Belt East. They will face the winner of the Troy vs. Marshall match in the Quarterfinals of the 2025 Sun Belt Championship on Friday, November 21, at 5:30 p.m. (ET), held at the Foley Sports Tourism Center.
