JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville University's volleyball team wrapped up its three-game home stand Saturday in an ASUN Conference match against Lipscomb University. In the third set Jizzyan Gesualdo moved up to sixth on the Dolphins' career assist list.

"Lipscomb came out guns blazing with a 25-14 first set win. I thought our response was pretty good and we decided to pick it up a little bit on our side, but when a team sides out the way they were at 74 percent, it's pretty hard to stop them. I think our defense was just a little bit overwhelmed by their defense. To play the 'preseason number 1', best team in the league that has that reputation for our young kids, they get a little glazed over in terms of how good this team is. You don't know how good and worthy of respect your opponent is until you face them on the floor," said Head Coach Julie Darty.

Lipscomb controlled the first set from the first point, using big runs to jump out to a 12-6 lead before Darty called her first time out. The Dolphins weren't able to score back-to-back points until they scored three in a row at 12-22, 13-22, and 14-22. But Lipscomb ended the set with a 3-0 run of its own, and led the match 1-0.

Jacksonville recovered from its early stumbles and kept pace with the Bisons in the second. The Dolphins tied the set three times, and kept within three for most of the set. A great moment of resilience came when the Dolphins were down by six at match point. A wicked strike by Jessica Armstrong got the Bisons' libero off-balance, which led to an attack error by Carlyle Nusbaum. Then the Dolphins won three more points and had the serve down 22-24. The Bisons closed the set with a kill by Taylor Racich, leading 2-0 heading into the locker room.

A three-to-nothing run to start the third set was a bit too much for JU to overcome. The Dolphins were held at arms-reach for most of the rest of the game. Cristina Finan inspired a 3-0 run when the Dolphins were down 17-23 to trim the margin down to three again, but a well-timed Bisons timeout was enough to get Lipscomb refocused. Lipscomb won the set 25-20 and the match.

"There was a little bit of growing up to do today, and I'm glad we got to do it early in the season," continued Darty. "This seven-game road stretch couldn't come at a better time. We need to grow away from Swisher Gym. We love our fan base here but we've got some growing pains that have to happen and I'm okay with that happening on the road. Quick turnaround with only three games of practice, but we'll be ready to go with NJIT and Upstate next weekend."

The Dolphins play the New Jersey Institute of Technology next Friday at 7 p.m., and then head south to USC Upstate to play the Spartans next Sunday afternoon at 2.

Final Stats

• Gesualdo's 19 assists put her career total at 2,888. The fifth-year senior is now sixth all-time on JU's career assist list, and 16th all-time on the ASUN list.
• Jessica Armstrong continued her personal renaissance Saturday with eight kills on a .353 attack percentage.
• Mackenzie Swan had 10 digs, her 15th game in a row with double-digit digs.