Dukes off to hot start

Chemistry is more than just a major — or so it would seem to the women’s volleyball team.

"This is a completely different group than we’ve ever had," coach Disa Garner said. "There’s a cohesiveness and they love each other to death."

They would be the 11-2 Dukes, who are off to their best start in six years.

"I’ve been reading up, and it says this is the best start since ’97," senior middle blocker Kate Fuchs said. "It is definitely since I’ve been here. Life is good when you’re winning."

And, as of late, JMU has been winning often.

After Saturday’s win over Colonial Athletic Association foe Virginia Commonwealth University, the Dukes have won seven straight heading into this weekend’s match against Towson University.

Last season, the Tigers went a perfect 14-0 during the CAA regular season before being upset in the conference tournament.

"It will be hard, because it’s our first real conference weekend," junior outside hitter Emilee Hussack said. "This will be a tough way to start, but it will also be good because it will tell us where we are and where we need to go from here."

After the Dukes face Towson Friday, they will turn around to take on CAA rival George Mason University Saturday. Both games are away from the home confines of Sinclair Gymnasium in Godwin Hall, where the Dukes have won 13 in a row dating back to last season.

"The record to me is nice," Garner said. "It’s great to have the wins. However, the bottom line for us is getting them ready for conference play."

Currently, Towson sits at 9-6 and GMU’s record stands 5-4.

"We’re going to be ready for them," Fuchs said. "We’ve become a pretty good team on the road, more so than any other year I’ve been here and we don’t care what jersey the other team has, we want to beat everyone."

So far, JMU has managed to beat most — a luxury that allows for the application of an old sports convention — you’re only as good as your bench.

"The bench is often where the people are who really pull things out for you," Garner said. "Because when you want to change and do something a little different, they are the ones who have to step up."

The Dukes have lost only to the University of Charlotte and Texas State this season. Their first loss came against the 49ers in the Charlotte SpringHill Suites Tournament and Madison dropped a match against TSU in the Centurytel/ Honda Classic Invitational in San Marcos, Texas.

"We’ve had so many roles change," Hussack said. "And now people are stepping into them. It will have a positive effect that we’ll see once we start conference play."

Fuchs, who is averaging 1.15 blocks per game and has 424 for her career, is nearing the JMU career blocks record of 453 set by Debbi Prince (1992-’95). She specifically believes in chemistry beyond the labs of Miller Hall.

"This is the best team we’ve had since I’ve been here, because we have the best chemistry," Fuchs said. "And I think chemistry is the most important aspect of any team."

JMU does not return home until Oct. 8 when they face Hofstra University at 7 p.m.

"This team knows how to fight," Fuchs said. "We don’t sit down and we’re not going to give up."

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