JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University volleyball team started out hot winning the opening two sets handily against visiting ASUN Conference foe NJIT; though the Dolphins battled throughout the final three games, they were unable to fend off the Highlanders, 3-2, Saturday evening at Swisher Gymnasium.

Highlighted by a pair of career marks with Hannah Marchand's four solo blocks and seven service aces, along with Natalie Wehner's 30 digs, the Dolphins put up some impressive defensive plays to keep the Highlanders in check.

The Dolphins raced out to a 6-0 lead to leave an early impression on the visitors, before a 7-2 streak behind service from Marchand and Natalie Martin allowed JU to double up NJIT, 16-8. Four of the final five points went in favor of the Dolphins, including a pair of kills from Mallory Mattingly, as Jacksonville rolled to a 25-16 win. Martin finished the day with 20 assists.

The second game started in similar fashion, as Marchand collected five of her seven aces during a 9-0 run to open the set. The Dolphins pushed their lead to 20-11 before NJIT found a little luck with a 4-0 run before the teams traded points to close out the set with JU taking a 2-0 lead, 25-19.

NJIT used a pair of 4-0 runs to gain traction in the third set – the first to take the lead at 9-7 and the next to put the set away for good at 17-12.  Though the Dolphins protested with three late points, NJIT took the set, 25-21.

The dynamic duo of Sara Dyslin and Hailey Devlin combined for five of the Dolphins' first seven points of the fourth set as Jacksonville took a 7-3 jump on the Highlanders. NJIT found an answer as the next 11, save back-to-back kills from Marchand, were in favor of the visitors for a 13-9 lead. The Highlanders kept the pressure on and forced a fifth set, 25-17.

Tied at 9-9 in the deciding set, the Dolphins hold NJIT at match point, 14-10, before the Highlanders take the set, 15-12.

Mattingly led the Dolphins with a match-high 19 kills, while Marchand (10 kills) and Dysin (13 kills) combined for 23. Meanwhile, Lauren Petersen posted a team-high 21 assists and Morgan Dees added 15 digs in their return performances.

The Dolphins hit the road next weekend for ASUN matchups at Kennesaw State (Oct. 12) and Lipscomb (Oct. 13).