FORT MYERS, Fla. --- Jacksonville volleyball's best season in over a decade came to an end Friday night, as the Dolphins dropped a four-set semi-final match to Eastern Kentucky.
Despite the playoff loss, Jacksonville reached the ASUN final four for the first time since 2015 and recorded its most wins in a season since 2013. The Dolphins were led by senior
Rebekah Williams' 13-kill, 10-dig double-double.
How It Happened
Set 1
After going down 10 early in the set, Jacksonville rallied late in the first set to try and claw out the win. JU took five of six points to cut the deficit to 16-10, then juniors
Alija Heins and
Claire Mrukowski combined for a block to get the Dolphins to 20.
Graduate student
Madi Novak added another point with a kill, but it wouldn't be enough as the Colonels held on 25-21.
Set 2
Eastern Kentucky led early again in the second, but four-straight Dolphin points cut the game to 20-16 late, with two aces from graduate student
Bella Dearinger sparking the Jacksonville run. However, like the first set, it wouldn't be enough as EKU took the second set 25-17.
Set 3
With their backs against the wall, the Dolphins played their most dominant set of the season. Jacksonville took 10 of the first 11 points in the set, and it was all JU from then on. Mrukowski set the tone, scoring six of her 10 kills in the third set.
An Eastern Kentucky attack error put the Dolphins up 20-6 late. As the Colonels tried to save whatever they could from the set, Williams put JU on set point and sophomore
Ana Tobar closed the door with her first kill of the night.
Set 4
The fourth set was the tightest of the night through the first 20 points, with EKU earning a slight 11-10 lead. However, the Colonels would pull away late, taking a 21-13 lead into the final points of the match.
Jacksonville scrapped till the end, with Mrukowski, senior
Breanna McDonough and junior
Jade Cuya Cobos adding late kills as the Dolphins fought for a comeback. In the end it wouldn't be enough, as EKU took the deciding set 25-19.
Match Notes
- Twenty-two wins are tied for the fourth-most in a Division I season in school history.
- In addition to her ninth double-double of the season, Williams notched a season-high five blocks.
- Senior libero Kristina Nika finished with a team-high 17 digs, her fifth-straight match with at least 15 digs.
