WILMINGTON, N.C. – The volleyball team of Jacksonville University started 2016 off well, winning in four sets over Winthrop University Friday at the UNCW Courtyard by Marriott Volleyball Classic.

"What a fun way to start the season," said Head Coach Julie Darty. "I'm proud of how well we handled the ball and worked hard to sideout. In the first set and fourth set we were so efficient. I think we got a little comfortable in set three and lost that sense of urgency we were playing with early on, but I liked our response in set four."

The Eagles scored first in the opening set, but wouldn't lead again the rest of the game. Mallory Mattingly's six kills, Jessica Armstrong's three digs, and Jizzyan Gesualdo's 12 assists in the set kept Winthrop at arm's length, with the Dolphins leading by as much as seven points, 17-10. The Eagles briefly pulled within four points at 20-16, but JU went on a 5-1 run to take the first set 25-17.

Winthrop came back in force in the second set, jumping out to an early 7-4 lead. Jacksonville managed to tie it up at 9-9, and then the two teams exchanged the lead several times over the next 10 points. The Eagles seemed to be pulling away for good with a 6-2 run that had them up 21-17, but again JU found a way to win, taking eight of the final 10 points to win 25-23.

The two teams tied or traded the lead six times in the first 10 points of the third set, but eventually the Eagles put some distance between themselves and the Dolphins. JU pulled within two points several times in the set, but Winthrop held on long enough to take the third set 25-20.

The fourth set was heavily contested as well, tied through the first 14 points. But a 5-0 JU run gave the Dolphins some breathing room at 12-7, and they'd quickly expand that lead to eight points at 17-9. JU closed the match with an 8-6 margin, taking the deciding set by 10 points, 25-15.

Mattingly led the Dolphins' offense with 15 kills. The freshman also had four digs, one ace, and three total blocks. Mackenzie Swan (13) and Cristina Finan (11) both had double-digit digs, and Gesualdo led in assists with 38. Finan was also on fire in her serving, scoring six aces.

"I think Jizzy did a fantastic job running a diverse offense and giving everyone hittable balls," continued Darty. "We still have lots to work on and polish up, but I'll take the energy, communication, and effort we just showed any day. I'm proud of our defense. We did a great job on transition turning digs into kills."

The Dolphins improve to 2-0 all-time against Winthrop, winning the only other matchup 3-0 in September of 1989. Jacksonville continues the UNCW Courtyard by Marriott Volleyball Classic Saturday with two matches, a noon contest against Davidson College and a 7 p.m. battle against host school University of North Carolina-Wilmington.