JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- The Jacksonville volleyball team remained unbeaten in conference play, sweeping the North Alabama Lions in straight sets. The Dolphins (13-3, 4-0 ASUN) have won their last five matches and are off to their first 4-0 start in ASUN play since 2017.

JU was led by a complete team performance, outsourcing UNA 75-46 on the day, and winning each of the first two sets 25-12. Graduate student Madi Novak led the way on the stat sheet, notching a team-high 10 kills.

How It Happened
Set 1
Jacksonville took the first point of the match and wouldn't trail for the next two sets. The Dolphins went up 9-2 with a pair of Novak kills in the early run. JU went up double-digits, 16-6, with a service ace from graduate student Bella Dearinger.

For a moment it looked like North Alabama would mount a comeback, but Jacksonville took six of the final seven points to cruise to a set one victory. Junior Rebekah Williams put the Dolphins on set point, and junior Alija Heins closed it out with a service ace.

Set 2
The second set was a near repeat of the first, with Jacksonville taking an early 3-0 lead it wouldn't surrender. A kill from freshman Kathryn Adler and three straight UNA errors put JU up 9-3 in the early part of the set.

Yount and Adler recorded kills in a 5-0 Jacksonville run that put the home side up 22-10. Another Lions error put the Dolphins on set point, and junior Jade Cuya Cobos aced it to close the second set.

Set 3
North Alabama battled Jacksonville in the third set. At 2-1 in the third, the Lions took their first lead of the match. They led by as many as six and took a 15-10 advantage into the third set media timeout.

After a quick UNA point, the Dolphins showed the fire that led them to the first two set wins. They scored the next six points as junior Claire Mrukowski led the way with three kills in the run.

Dearinger put the Dolphins back in front, 20-19, with a service ace and Williams pushed the lead to two with another kill. Novak put the 'Phins on match point, and Mrukowski capped off a dynamic third set with the match-winning kill, 25-22. 

Coach's Comments
"I'm very proud of the energy and connection that our team displayed today," head coach Alicia Manguiat said. "To play like that against a good North Alabama team, who came in at 2-1, was impressive. That was some of the cleanest volleyball we've played all year."

Game Notes

• This is Jacksonville's first win over North Alabama since 2019. 
• Novak recorded at least 10 kills for the fifth time this season. 
• Adler recorded a career high three kills.
• JU recorded nine total blocks.
• Jacksonville outhit the Lions .357 to .135.

Up Next
Jacksonville will head back on the road for the Tennessee leg of the ASUN season. The Dolphins will face the Austin Peay Governors Friday, Oct. 10 before facing preseason conference favorite Lipscomb Saturday, Oct. 11. Both matches will start at 7 p.m. and will both be streamed on ESPN+.