JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On the heels of a four-set victory over Bethune-Cookman, the Jacksonville University volleyball team faced stiffer competition to close out the first day of the Jacksonville Marriott Classic. On Friday evening, the Dolphins dropped a straight-set match (25-17, 25-19, 25-12) to visiting Coastal Carolina. For the second consecutive outing, Sammie Strausbaugh (Dover, Pa.) led the Dolphins in kills with 12.  

In each set, JU held its own in the early goings but the Chanticleers would put together spurts that gave them sizeable cushions too much to overcome. Poor hitting doomed the Dolphins as they pieced together a .098 attack percentage to CCU's .366.

Strausbaugh and Emily Laskelle (Napa, Calif.) combined for eight kills in the first frame but Coastal's balanced attack which included kills from six different players allowed them to run away with the set.

Jacksonville forced four early ties in the begining of set two- the last of which occurred at 4-all before the Chanticleers worked a 6-0 scoring run. CCU errors and a kill by Lauren Homrich (Fountain Hills, Ariz.) moved the Dolphins to within three, 10-7, and they lingered around that difference for a while until a pair of CCU runs allowed them to seal the set two victory.  

Coming out of the brief intermission, Coastal Carolina held an early 4-0 advantage that was quickly erased on kills by Gabriella Roman (San Juan, P.R.) and Kelly Koop (McKinney, Texas).  The Dolphins, however, were unable to keep the momentum going. The teams tied once more at 5-all and that would be as close as JU would get in the final set.

The loss ended JU's 18-game home win streak. On Saturday, August 6, Jacksonville will look to rebound in matches against Florida Atlantic and Georgia State. The Dolphins open tourney action at Swisher Gymnasium at 9 a.m. and return at 5 p.m.  

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