Hempstead, NY – Sophomore middle blocker Leticia Valente posted a team-high 18 kills and junior right right side Veronika Kostova added 14 kills, but James Madison rallied for a four-set win over the Hofstra Volleyball team on Saturday evening at the David S. Mack Physical Education Center. 

Set scores were 19-25, 25-23, 25-22 and 25-22 in favor of James Madison, which improved to 22-6 and 12-3 in Colonial Athletic Association play. Hofstra saw its three-match win streak come to an end as they fell to 18-10 and 9-4 in league action. 

Hofstra jumped out to a quick start in the match as they earned a six-point win in the opening stanza as a tremendous offensive showing allowed the Pride to hit at a .625 clip. 

The Dukes would tighten up their defense as the match progressed with the Pride managing just a .118 attack percentage in the second set as JMU knotted the match at one set each. 

The third and fourth sets were both go the way of the Dukes by identical scores with James Madison hitting .308 in the third set to take its first lead of the contest. 

The final set was close with the visitors holding a narrow 23-22 lead following a kill from Hofstra middle blocker Michela Rucli. Following a JMU time out, JMU got a kill from Janey Goodman to set up match point and the Dukes would capture the match as a Pride attack error ended the contest. 

Freshman outside hitter Nanishka Perez had a team-high 16 digs and added nine kills. Junior setter Hannah Klemm dished out 47 assists for the Pride, while junior defensive specialist Sophia Black had 13 digs. 

Goodman led all players with 20 kills and nine blocks for the Dukes. She also added nine digs. Taylor Austin had a match-high 24 digs for JMU. 

Hofstra returns to action on Monday when it hosts Delaware at 7 p.m. It is the Pride's final home regular season match of the season and the program will honor its two seniors, Corrina Delgadillo and Kaitlyn Krause, in a prematch ceremony.