The Hofstra volleyball team has found its rhythm as the team prepares for the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) tournament after the Pride took down James Madison University (JMU) in straight sets on Sunday, Nov. 14, at the David S. Mack Physical Education Building.
Set scores were 25-23, 25-20 and 27-25 as the Pride split the weekend doubleheader against the Dukes to end the regular season.
“A great day for our team. It’s super special because it’s senior day, and anytime you win against a great team from the CAA it’s a beautiful day,” said Hofstra head coach Emily Mansur.
Hofstra honored graduate student Ana Martinovic along with seniors Maddie Appleton and Sheryl Mathew as part of senior day for the Pride.
“All three of them have worked so hard for our program. I really cannot thank them enough for the change and bettering of our culture, they put a lot into it,” Mansur said. “I know I’m going to miss them.”
After fending off an early run, Hofstra trailed JMU 18-13 in set one. Bianca Bucciarelli and Martinovic sparked a 6-1 Hofstra run, tying the match at 19 all. After the Pride committed back-to-back errors, Florencia Wolkowyski sparked a quick 3-0 run to pull Hofstra in front 22-21. After another set of errors put JMU ahead, Wolkowyski slammed the door with a kill, clinching the first set for Hofstra.
Coming into the match the Dukes were 15-0 when winning the opening set but 2-6 when dropping the opening frame.
Set two was another fierce battle as both sides traded points throughout with the difference of the match being an early 5-0 run for the Pride to take a 10-6 lead. At the 14-10 mark in favor of Hofstra, the next 16 points went back-and-forth for each side until JMU snapped the streak with back-to-back points getting within three at 22-19. Athina Dimitriadis ended all hope for the Dukes with a kill followed by a service ace to finish set two.
Dimitriadis had a career weekend against the Dukes finishing with 11 kills, four blocks and two aces. She also posted a .714 attack percentage, leading both teams.
“[Dimitriadis] played with a lot of heart and we need her to keep that momentum for us,” Mansur said.
Four Pride players reached double-digit kills as Wolkowyski recorded 13 kills, while Martinovic and Abdul-Rahim added 10 kills apiece.
“This is what we knew from the first day that we could be,” Mansur said. “I’m so happy that we had the chance to experience this, where our team knew we could achieve this going into next weekend.”
The third set was another close battle with both sides answering each team’s run. After a 6-2 Hofstra run put the Pride in front 19-15, the Dukes embarked on a 6-0 run to storm back and take a 21-19 lead. After Bucciarelli snapped the JMU run, the Duke’s went back up by two after a service error by Hofstra.
Martinovic brought the Pride back within one before Zyare Abdul-Rahim tied the game at 22 all. After JMU fended off several match points, Dimitriadis ended the set once again with a kill and an ace.
The Pride finished the regular season with a 14-13 record (8-8 CAA), while JMU’s ends with a 17-7 record (11-5 CAA).
Although tied for second in the CAA with Elon University, JMU will not compete in the CAA tournament after the CAA ruled JMU ineligible to compete in conference championships. The decision comes after JMU announced a withdraw from the CAA to join the SunBelt.
Hofstra earned the sixth seed in the CAA tournament and now heads to Towson, Maryland as they face the No. 3 College of Charleston on Thursday, Nov. 18, at SECU Arena. The Pride will eye its first CAA Championship since 2018; Towson has won back-to-back CAA titles since and is the overall top seed in this year’s tournament.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
