KENNESAW, Ga. – Facing the second of two road battles this weekend, the Jacksonville University volleyball team fell at Kennesaw State, 3-0, Saturday afternoon at KSU Convocation Center.

Senior Mallory Mattingly led the Dolphins (7-15, 3-5 ASUN) with eight kills and five digs, while freshman Addyson Lewis knocked in a pair of service aces. For the second straight match, senior libero Natalie Wehner posted 15 digs to earn Hodges Mazda Player of the Game.
 

Trailing by four, 10-6, in the opening set, the Dolphins faced a 7-2 Owl run that extended KSU's lead to 17-7. Jacksonville answered back with a 6-0 rally, including back-to-back service aces from Lewis, to bring JU within five, 17-13. Down the stretch, Kennesaw State took four of the final five points for a 25-15 win.

Remaining competitive throughout the second set, the Dolphins came within two, 7-5, early on. Junior Briana Kipp opened a 3-0 rally with a timely solo block to hold KSU at set point, but the Owls (14-6, 7-1 ASUN) finished the set, 25-14. Along with Kipp, junior Bailey Foy posted all three of her blocks during the set.

With an ace from Wehner, the Dolphins took hold of a 5-3 lead in the third set to pressure the hosts. Kennesaw State chipped away at JU's lead with a 6-1 streak, though a pair of kills from Mattingly kept Jacksonville within two, 13-11. With the final five points, the Owls took the match, 25-16.

Sophomore Natalie Martin recorded 17 assists and seven digs, while freshman Abby Jackson added eight digs in the effort.

Kennesaw State was led by Lauren Chastang's 12 kills and Karlee Groover's 22 digs.

The Dolphins return home to Historic Swisher Gymnasium next weekend with matches against Florida Gulf Coast on Oct. 25 and Liberty on Oct. 27.