TUSCALOOSA, Ala. --- The Jacksonville Dolphins defeated the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in straight sets, 3-0, in their final game of the Crimson Tide Invitational. JU will leave the tournament with a 2-1 record.

The Dolphins were led by graduate student Madi Novak, who had her best game yet in JU colors. She recorded a game-high 19 kills, hitting .344 on 32 total attacks.

How It Happened
Set 1
Jacksonville roared out to an early lead in the opening set. The Dolphins took an early 10-4 lead, with sophomore Haley Yount and junior Rebekah Williams leading the charge from Jacksonville's front row. Asheville briefly broke the Dolphins run, but Novak ripped off three-straight kills to put JU back on the front foot.

Another Novak kill and a Bulldogs error put Jacksonville on set point, 24-16. The Dolphins closed it out with their defense, as junior Alija Heins and senior Breanna McDonough blocked a hit at the net to win the set.

Set 2
Novak continued her hot start into the second set, recording an early kill and a pair of aces to give JU a 5-3 lead. 

The Bulldogs stayed in the fight, cutting the lead to one, 12-11, and eventually tying the game at 14. From that point though, Asheville hit a number of errors, putting Jacksonville out in front, 20-17.

Novak's dominant afternoon continued with her 10th and 11th kills, and Heins and McDonough combined for another block to put JU on set point. McDonough closed it out with a strong kill off an assist from grad student Bella Dearinger to put the Dolphins up two sets.

Set 3
The Bulldogs came out scraping to avoid a sweep in the third, staying in front through the early proceedings. Heins gave Jacksonville its first two-point lead with a pair of kills, putting the 'Phins up 9-7. 

From that point, the Dolphins turned it on to close out the set and the match. Jacksonville took a commanding 14-8 lead, before Asheville crawled back into the game. Heins continued her strong weekend with a kill to give JU a 20-15 edge.

Williams ripped her seventh kill of the night, and on her serve, aced it past the Bulldogs to close out the match, 25-21.

Coach's Comments
"Today was a great testament to our determination," head coach Alicia Manguait said. "To bounce back after a loss and handle our business against a good Asheville team was impressive. I was proud of our composure and our growth as a team throughout the weekend."

Game Notes

• This is the Dolphins 9th straight-sets win under Manguiat.
• McDonough finished nine kills and nine digs, her first game averaging at least three kills per set this year.
• With 7 kills today, Yount finished the weekend with 35 kills, the most kills in a three-game stretch in her career. She's also hitting a team-best .680.
• Dearinger recorded 30 assists, with a season-best 10 assists per set.

Up Next
Jacksonville's early season road trip turns northward next week for a three-game stint in the Keystone State. The Dolphins will travel to Mercyhurst for a Friday afternoon match-up at 12 p.m. EST.

JU will head slightly south for a pair of games in Pittsburgh. The Dolphins will meet Pepperdine Saturday at 5 p.m. EST before a coaches reunion against the preseason No. 3 Pitt Panthers on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST. Live stream and stat details can be found on JUDolphins.com.