NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Jacksonville University volleyball team struggled to find its footing against ASUN Conference foe Lipscomb Friday evening, as the Bisons used its home court advantage en route to a 3-0 decision at Allen Arena.

Led by the Hodges Mazda Player of the Game, freshman Lexi Wierzbicki posted 10 kills to highlight the Dolphins' offense while senior Natalie Wehner added a match-high 15 digs to punctuate the defensive efforts.
 

Trailing 7-1 in the first set, Jacksonville worked a 5-2 rally deep in the set sparked by an ace from senior Mallory Mattingly. With three of the last four points, the hosts took the opening set, 25-11.

Taking control of the second, the Dolphins saw aces from both Mattingly and junior Bailey Foy for two of JU's first four points of the set. Jacksonville extended its lead to 7-4, but a decisive 9-1 run from Lipscomb swung the momentum in favor of the Bisons. Neither team managed more than two straight points from there as the Dolphins eventually brought the set to within three, 22-19. Lipscomb managed to steal the final three points to edge JU, 25-19.

Kills from Foy and Wierzbicki sparked the third set as Jacksonville deadlocked the score at eight apiece. A pair of four-point runs – first at 8-8 and later at 15-11 – surged the Bisons to a 19-11 advantage. Jacksonville won the next three points, but was unable to recover as Lipscomb took the set and match, 25-16.

The Dolphins return to the court tomorrow afternoon when they visit Kennesaw State at 5 p.m.