RAMS STAGE FURIOUS RALLY, ONLY TO FALL TO JAMES MADISON, 3-2
10-27-06
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Senior Ludmila Francescatto (Fraiburga, Brazil) and sophomore Elisa Kuehnel (Dresden, Germany) spearheaded a valiant Virginia Commonwealth University rally, James Madison hung on for a 3-2 win (30-28, 30-25, 28-30, 27-30, 15-8) Friday night at the Alltel Pavilion.

VCU has lost three straight, evening its overall record at 12-12 and dropping the Rams to 6-8 in the Colonial Athletic Association. JMU raises its ledger to 17-6 overall and 11-3 in the league.

Down 2-0, Francescatto and Kuehnel combined for 17 kills in games three and four to spark the Rams to 30-28 and 30-27 wins, respectively. After hitting .111 through the first two games, VCU recorded .333 and .250 marks in the following two periods.

However, the Black and Gold comeback hit a snag early in the fifth and deciding game when three attacking errors and a Bayli Stillwell kill put VCU in a 4-0 hole. The Rams pulled to within 5-4, but the Dukes benefited from five VCU errors in the next six points to pull away for good, 10-5. VCU hit -.143 in the deciding game.

Francescatto finished with 19 kills, 11 digs and two aces, while Kuehnel tied a career-high with 16 kills. She added six blocks and six digs. Senior Melissa Peterson (Ganado, Ariz.) added eight total blocks for VCU, including two solos.

James Madison, which hit .254 for the match, received 20 kills and a .500 hitting percentage from Allyson Halls, as well as 66 assists from setter Lauren Miles. Libero Jena Pierson, the CAA leader in digs, booked 33 Friday.

The Rams remain home and will take on George Mason Saturday, Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. It will be VCU’s final home match of the season and will be preceded by Senior Day ceremonies.