KENNESAW, Ga. – Despite a hard-fought and persistent effort in its regular-season finale, Jacksonville University's volleyball team was unable to overcome Kennesaw State in ASUN Conference play, Saturday evening.

Much of the first set was back-and-forth action as neither side led by more than three points and there were six ties in the score. The Dolphins (9-18, 5-9 ASUN) gained a 23-22 advantage following a kill from Mallory Mattingly, but the Owls managed to grit out the last three points to steal game one, 25-23.

Game two was a little more lopsided in the score, but not in play. The first half of the set was a two-way street as both teams were stuck in the alternating scoring that was the theme of the opening game. JU came within one, 14-13, but a 10-2 run in the middle of the set by the Owls (19-10, 13-2 ASUN) put the set out of reach, 25-16.

JU leapt out to a 12-8 lead early in the third set, but five-straight points from the Owls deadlocked the game at 13-13. The next points were similar to the first set, as both teams exchanged points to tie the game at 15-15, 16-16, 17-17, and 18-18, before KSU earned the final 25-18 win to take the match three games to none.

Mattingly led the Dolphins with 12 kills on the night for her 14th match with double-digit kills. Jizzyan Gesualdo added 26 assists, and Mackenzie Swan tacked on 16 digs.

JU now awaits its final seeding in the 2016 ASUN Tournament, which begins Thursday, November 17.