FORT MYERS – Jacksonville University's volleyball team played its fourth five-set match in a row on Saturday, defeating FGCU in Alico Arena.

"The win couldn't have come at a better time," said Head Coach Julie Darty. "The loss last night was upsetting, and the girls needed this to bounce back and gain some momentum."

The first set featured eight ties and three lead changes, an indication of the match to come. JU took control at 9-9, closing the set on a 16-to-8 run to win 25-17. Both teams put together several runs in the second set, but FGCU had the final run of the set, taking 13 of the final 17 points to win 25-16. The Dolphins bounced back in the third set, taking the first point of the game and never looking back, winning 25-18. In the fourth JU carried its momentum over to an 8-3 lead, but an FGCU substitution sparked the Eagles' offense, and FGCU took the fourth set 25-20 to force a fifth set. Each team led in the final set, but back-to-back kills by Ana Gabriella Nieto-Gomez helped the Dolphins close the set 15-12, and gave them the 3-2 victory.

Four Dolphins had double-digit kills, and four other Dolphins had double-digit digs. Emily Laskelle had 19 kills, 10 digs, five total blocks, and two aces. Both middles performed admirably, with Jessica Armstrong collecting 17 kills and four blocks, and Gomez putting together 16 kills and five total blocks. Kelly Koop had her eighth double-double of the season with 10 kills and 15 digs, and Jizzyan Gesualdo had 54 assists and 14 digs, her 14th double-double. Mayara Prestes had 40 digs, a career-best.

"That's what Maya does for us; she's the backbone of our team," continued Darty. "When she's getting numbers like that and we're digging balls the way we did, we're in a position for success. We're super excited that Maya was able to set a new record for herself in her senior year, and that the record came in such a huge win. Our middles were great tonight too. I think from the first meeting with FGCU to now we've become a different team, and we no longer have to rely on just Emily."

The win bumps the Dolphins up to 6-4 in Atlantic Sun competition, which means that they need just one more win to clinch a playoff berth.

"We've got another road trip next weekend, and I think that playing the top team in the league at their place and taking that win from them feels really good," said Darty. "I hope that we can get back to Swisher and have a good week of practice before we head to Nashville to face Lipscomb on the road next Friday. We love to play a lot of volleyball, so I wasn't surprised at all when it went five, but the fact that we closed it out was exhilarating. I'm so happy for my kids."

The Dolphins travel to Nashville next Friday for a match against Lipscomb, and then hop on a plane for a Sunday matchup at NJIT.

Fans can follow all the action from the 2015 season on JUDolphins.com, through twitter @JUVolleyball, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleUniversityAthletics.