HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Stony Brook volleyball team kicked off its 2019 season on Friday at the JMU Invitational, but fell to both Iowa and James Madison.
 
Against the Hawkeyes, the Seawolves managed to take the second set, but fell in four (14-25, 25-21, 16-25, 15-25). Versus the host Dukes, the team battled to close first and third sets, but were ultimately swept (23-25, 13-25, 22-25).
 
Freshman Amiyah De'Long (Anaheim, Calif.) led the Stony Brook offense with 17 kills on the day while tallying nine digs on the defensive side.
 
Coach Belzung's Reaction
"Today it was apparent that we need to improve our serving and passing game if we want to compete at the highest level. We struggled to score at times because our first contact was inconsistent. Both Iowa and JMU are great programs who attacked us and we look to get our young players acclimated to this tempo of play. Tomorrow we compete against a top-25 program in Washington State and will again be tested to improve our ability to sideout."
 
By the Numbers vs. Iowa
- Kendra Harlow (St. James, N.Y.) led the way with nine kills while Liz Pulver (Temecula, Calif.) and De'Long each added in seven. 
- LeAnne Sakowicz (Wauconda, Ill.) notched 25 assists and Kiani Kerstetter (Cardiff, Calif.) recorded 13 digs.
- Stony Brook had its most kills in the third set (11).
- Overall, the Seawolves tallied 36 kills, 31 assists, six service aces, 33 digs and five blocks through four sets.
 
Notes
- De'Long made her Stony Brook debut against Iowa and added in two service aces and five digs along with her seven kills.
- Julia Kim (Batavia, Ill.) and Enitan Omolewa (Laurel, Md.) made their Seawolves debut as well.
- This was Stony Brook's first-ever meeting with the Hawkeyes.
 
By the Numbers vs. JMU
-  De'Long led the way for the Seawolves with 10 kills in addition to four digs.
- Maria Poole (Stavanger, Norway) and Pulver backed her up with six apiece.
- Sakowicz earned 21 assists, four kills and six digs.
- Sakowicz also led all players on the floor with 2.5 blocks.
- Kerstetter logged seven digs and four assists.
- Overall, the Seawolves had 32 kills, 28 digs, five blocks and one ace.

Notes
- Nia Wattley (Dallas, Texas) made her Stony Brook debut after redshirting last season.
- This was Stony Brook's first-ever meeting with the Dukes.

Up Next
The Seawolves are back in action tomorrow, taking on No. 22 Washington State at 5 p.m.