TROY, Ala. – Battling through to five sets, the Jacksonville University volleyball team pushed Murray State to its limits in an impressive display to open this weekend's Troy Tournament at Trojan Arena. Three players recorded double-double performances and a pair of freshmen combined for 15 blocks; however, the Dolphins (0-4) forced extra points in the 3-2 decision to the Racers (2-3).

Senior Mallory Mattingly (22 kills, 15 digs), sophomore Natalie Martin (52 assists, 10 digs), and freshman Lexi Wierzbicki (14 kills, 14 digs) all totaled impressive numbers throughout the marathon match for double-doubles. Mattingly was named Hodges Mazda Player of the Game.
 

Highlighting Jacksonville's defense at the net were freshmen Sydney Bolding (14 kills, 8 blocks) and junior Bailey Foy (6 kills, 7 blocks) combined for 15 of JU's 29 blocks. Bolding (.480) and Wierzbicki (.321) finished the day with eye-popping hitting percentages in the effort, while senior Natalie Wehner notched 29 digs – good for 5.8 per set.

"We are getting better every time we step out on the court. There were so many standout performances from so many players this evening, and we're getting better every day," noted head coach Evan Muys. "We are excited to get back at it tomorrow."

Jacksonville kicked things off by earning a huge win in extra points in the opening set, 29-27. With a 5-1 lead early on, the Dolphins extended their advantage with four-straight points for a 12-5 lead. However, Murray State responded with a 5-0 rally to steal the lead at 21-19. Deadlocked at 23, the teams battled through five set points before back-to-back kills from Bolding put the set away in favor of the Dolphins.

Returning fire in the next two sets, Murray State gained the lead thanks to back-to-back wins of 25-14 and 25-22. Facing a familiar situation, the Dolphins showed heart and returned to form in the fourth set.

Despite a 7-2 deficit to start the set, Jacksonville chipped away at the Racers' lead and used a decisive 10-0 run – highlighted by three kills each from Bolding and Mattingly. Murray State worked to get two more points on the board, and a service error on set point sealed a 25-21 win for the Dolphins to force a fifth set.

Extra points were once again needed to determine the outcome of the match, as the Dolphins rallied back from an 8-4 valley to take the lead, 11-10. A Dolphins service error sent things to match point, 14-12, for Murray State, but the Dolphins saw back-to-back kills from Bolding to tie the set at 14. However, the Racers found a way to steal the next two points for the win, 16-14.

Rachel Guistino led Murrary State with 22 kills and 16 digs, while Rachel Kinney (11 kills) and Rachel Holthaus (13 kills) combined for 23 kills.

The Dolphins return to action tomorrow with contests against UT Chattanooga (2:30 pm) and the tournament host, Troy (6 pm).