Under The Radar: A Redshirt Diary

Breaking The Seal

August 27, 2021

The 2021 volleyball season began for the James Madison Dukes with them hosting the JMU Invitational in Sinclair Gymnasium. The first match of the day featured the Illinois State Redbirds playing the Virginia Commonwealth Rams. The first two sets went the way of VCU by scores of 25-21 and 25-16. Intermission, however, seemed to bring a second wind to the Redbirds as they would extend the match with a 25-22 win in Set Three. As the better side, the Rams focused on side-outing their opponent and picking up a point or two every time they had the serve, which led to them winning the fourth set 25-18 and the match three sets to one.

During the break between the first match and the second, which would have the Dukes facing off with the High Point Panthers, the ancillary personnel for the tournament (official scorer, public address announcer, clock operator, and replay assistant) left the gymnasium and went to the makeshift commissary located to its left. Downstairs in the locker room, the players and coaching staff were mentally preparing to take their first step on the road to what they hope will be a conference championship and a top-16 seed for the NCAA tournament. Jaydyn, Emma, Madilyn, and Annie were getting excited for the opportunity to play in their first-ever college volleyball match. Meanwhile, Sarah had turned into her locker stall and removed the white number 32 jersey from its hanger before putting it on for the first time. She then focused on her mental preparation and putting herself in a good frame of mind heading into this new sporting environment. Once she felt confident, Sarah turned back to the center of the locker room, where Lauren was standing.

Lauren: In about an hour, we get to see where we are as a team, as a group of women, since the last time we took the floor here. Our four freshmen and graduate transfer will experience the feeling of playing in this building for the first time this evening. Before we head out, I want to leave you with a couple of thoughts from one of my fellow volleyball coaches. We are here, together, as one. Our sportuality, defined as where sport and spirituality meet, leads us to pursue a greater good on the floor. Sacrifice, love, devotion, perseverance, dedication, patience. All of these are concepts we exhibit on the court, but they also reside within ourselves, given to us by a higher power. Channel that, and play from the heart.

The eighteen players stood and huddled up before exiting the locker room and going upstairs to their home court. In the stands, several of the athletes on other teams at JMU chanted the names of their favorite players, friends, and partners. Marc had taken a seat near the top of the bleachers as he enjoyed getting a full-court view of games, something he would do at Carroll as play-by-play announcer for their men's and women's soccer teams' livestreamed contests.

Once warmups were completed, the Dukes gathered by their bench in preparation for the playing of the national anthem and the announcement of each team's starting lineups. JMU sent out the following six to begin the first set against the Panthers (front row, back row, with Savannah as libero):

Savanah(MB)---------------------Caroline(S)--------------Cameryn(RS)

Miette(OH)----------------------Rebecca(DS)----------------Sophia(MB)

At the start of the set, Savannah replaced Sophia in Position 1 and served the opening point, which went to James Madison. On her next serve, she sent the ball long, evening the score at 1. Over the course of the first set, Sophia would replace Savannah when the libero was positioned to move to the front row, with Hannah entering at that time to serve in Savanah's position, yielding her place on the court to Savannah at the end of the rotation. A couple of miscommunication errors between Caroline and her outside hitters cost the Dukes points, which helped High Point secure a 25-23 first set win.