HUNTSVILLE, Ala.-- Jacksonville Beach Volleyball participated in the opening day of the ASUN Championships in Huntsville, Alabama. The Dolphins competed in two duals, beginning with a 4-1 loss to host North Alabama, followed by a resilient 4-1 victory over Austin Peay in the elimination bracket.
Jacksonville's first dual of the day ended in a 4-1 defeat against host North Alabama. The Dolphins' only point came from the No. 3 pair, as Katie Martinez and Meredith Mrukowski secured a hard-fought victory in three sets (21-14, 12-21, 15-13). Two additional matches went the distance, with Hayden Garnett and Kristina Nika at No. 2, and Miller Reames and Kate Taylor at No. 4, both narrowly missing the win in tight third sets. At the top spot, Emily Kubicsko and Claire Mrukowski showed competitive spirit but dropped their match in straight sets. At No. 5, Kelly Erhard and Morgan Perry also fell in two.
In their elimination match against Austin Peay, the Dolphins came out strong and delivered a convincing 4-1 victory. Kubicsko and C. Mrukowski dominated at No. 1 (21-12, 21-9), while Garnett and Nika followed with a controlled win (21-17, 21-11). Martinez and M. Mrukowski kept their winning streak intact at No. 3 (21-18, 21-12), and Reames and Taylor sealed the dual at No. 4 (21-19, 21-15). The only loss came at No. 5, where Erhard and Perry fell in a close three-set battle (14-21, 21-16, 10-14).
With the win, Jacksonville advances in the elimination bracket and will return to the sand on Thursday, April 25. The Dolphins are scheduled to face the loser of the North Florida vs. Florida Gulf Coast dual at 2:30 p.m. EST (1:30 p.m. CT). The matchup will be a must-win scenario—if Jacksonville loses, the team will be eliminated from championship contention; if victorious, the Dolphins will move on to Dual 12 later that afternoon for a chance to continue their tournament run.
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