JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Day Two of the JAX Classic presented by Jacksonville Marriott proved to be a bit more challenging for the Jacksonville University volleyball team, as the Dolphins dropped both matches Saturday. Despite the losses, Head Coach Julie Darty sees the silver lining in the situation.
"Today was a tough one," said Darty. "To lose two matches on our home court was definitely something that we weren't prepared to do. We came in ready to fight, but we didn't expect the competition to come at us the way they did. I feel like we're not still really trusting each other, and the cohesion that we're striving for isn't there yet. We do have a lot of youth on the floor that are trying to figure it out and I'm proud of them for getting out there and playing their best."
The first match of the day was against Charlotte, who had lost their first match 1-3 to the University of Illinois-Chicago. The first set was extremely combative in the early going, with the game tied at 7-7. But back-to-back Dolphin errors would give the 49ers an 8-7 lead, and they'd hold on for the rest of the set. JU tied the set up six more times, but could never get in front, losing in extras 24-26.
Charlotte jumped out front early in the second set with a 6-1 run, and though JU closed the gap to one point three different times, the advantage proved to be too much. The 49ers strung together a 14-7 run to end the game, taking the second set 25-16.
The break between sets two and three proved fortuitous for JU. Charlotte again took an early lead at 3-1, but JU fought back, tying the game at 7-7 and then snatching the lead at 8-7. The Dolphins and Niners traded the lead a few times before Charlotte had a 5-1 run and looked to be pulling away again, but a wicked strike from Jessica Armstrong got the Dolphins back on track and inspired a 6-1 JU run. JU held on to win the third set 25-20.
In the fourth JU and Charlotte again traded the lead, but the 49ers had just a bit more left in the tank in the end. The Dolphins led 16-14 before consecutive errors allowed Charlotte back into the game. Jacksonville and Charlotte exchanged runs briefly, and the Dolphins appeared to have a fifth set in their sights when they took the lead at 23-22. Unfortunately, errors proved to be Jacksonville's downfall. The set went to Charlotte 26-24 on a Dolphin attack error. The 49ers won the match 3-1.
Armstrong led three Dolphins in double-digit kills with 19. Reigning Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Week Mallory Mattingly had 13 kills and 11 digs for her third-career double-double, and Olga Nushtayeva collected 15 kills and six total blocks. Jizzyan Gesualdo had 55 assists and eight digs, and Mackenzie Swan led the defensive effort with 34 digs, just six short of the JU record for digs in a four-set match.
UIC took the floor next, entering the game with an undefeated record. JU dominated early, leading 9-6 before UIC could win two points in a row. All momentum was on Jacksonville's side, but errors proved costly once more, allowing the Flames to tie the game at 10-10 and take the lead on the next point. The lead seesawed between the two teams for the next 13 points, but UIC was able to take control for good at 18-17. JU pulled within two at 20-22 and 22-24, but UIC closed out with a kill, taking the first set 25-22.
A 3-0 run to start the second set gave the Flames enough of a cushion to coast through the rest of the game. JU pulled within one point five times, but UIC ended the set with a 6-2 run, winning 25-20 and taking a 2-0 lead heading into the locker rooms.
The Dolphins dominated early in the third, winning five of the first seven points. Yet again JU errors came into play, and UIC capitalized, fighting back to a 9-8 lead of their own. Jacksonville pulled within one at 11-12, but the Flames responded with a 13-5 run to win the deciding set 25-16. Final score: UIC 3, JU 0
Cristina Finan (11), Alleah Stamatis (10), and Swan (15) each had double-digit digs in the match, and Armstrong again led in kills with eight. Gesualdo collected 20 assists, and Stamatis and Swan each had two service aces.
"We've got three days of practice before we leave for Auburn, and we've got a lot of work to do," said Darty. "I just hope that every time we step on the court that we improve. That's the goal. Hopefully we can get after it this week and continue to get better, and see the final results in conference play."
The All-Tournament team follows below:
UIC (3-0): Kelsie Groot (MVP), Kyisha Hunt, Alyssa Ehrhardt
Charlotte (2-1): Shelby Green, Molly Shaw
JU (1-2): Jessica Armstrong, Mackenzie Swan
Presbyterian (0-3): Mikayla Register
The Dolphins return to action Friday at the Auburn Invitational, where they'll face Miami (Ohio), Memphis, and Auburn.
