KENNESAW, Ga. – The Jacksonville University volleyball team clashed with Kennesaw State on the road, but the ASUN Conference-leading Owls were too much for the Dolphins to overcome Friday evening in a 3-0 decision at KSU Convocation Center.

Graduate student Hailey Devlin hit .353 behind seven kills and junior Mallory Mattingly added eight kills as the duo paced the Dolphins offensively, while junior Natalie Wehner posted a team-high seven digs on the defensive end.

The teams traded the opening points, but the Owls swooped out to an 8-3 lead in the opening set for an early advantage. A 5-1 run extended KSU's lead to 13-5 before a second 5-0 run down the stretch put the set out of reach as Kennesaw took the first set, 25-13.

All three of the Dolphins' first few points of the second set came off the hand of Devlin as Jacksonville came within one, 4-3. However, Kennesaw State found a 4-0 rally, backed by a 5-0 run, to add distance for a 14-5 advantage. Though the Dolphins matched the Owls point-for-point down the stretch, KSU came away with the win in set two, 25-12.

Jacksonville (2-17, 1-6 ASUN) came out to a hot start in the third with a 4-1 run behind kills from Mattingly, graduate student Sara Dyslin, and a service ace from senior Lauren Petersen and the Dolphins held off a feisty Owl squad until a 3-0 run gave the hosts an 11-9 edge. Eight of the next 10 points went in favor of KSU (16-4, 7-0 ASUN) as the Owls hit .440 for the set, but the Dolphins threatened with a trio of points to come back within four, 19-15. However, Kennesaw State finished the set on a 6-0 run to steal the match, 25-15.

The Dolphins return to action tomorrow evening as they take on Lipscomb at 8 p.m. ET.