JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- The Jacksonville volleyball team returned to Swisher Gymnasium for the first time this season, and it treated the home fans to a thrilling five-set victory over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the opening match of the Dolphin Volleyball Classic, presented by Hampton Inn East Regency.

The Dolphins were led by senior Breanna McDonough's 16 kills. Jacksonville rallied from down 2-1 after the third set, winning the fourth and fifth set for its fourth-straight win.

"That's a very good team, and they did a lot of things that we couldn't stop, but in the end, we still believed in ourselves and believed in our connection, and I think that's really what helped us," head coach Alicia Manguiat said.

How It Happened
Set 1
Jacksonville came out red hot in the opening set, with a passionate and raucous home crowd setting the tone in the opening moments of the match. The game was a near stalemate as the Gamecocks cut the lead to 11-9, but the Dolphins raced to the finish from that point on.

Jacksonville scored 14 of the last 17 points in the first set, soaring past Jacksonville State 25-12 in the opening set.

Set 2
After a blowout in the opener, set two was anything but. For a moment, it looked as if it'd be the Gamecocks running away with things, as they took a 20-11 lead. Jacksonville State was poised to tie the match as quickly as they trailed, but the Dolphins and sophomore Ana Tobar had other plans.

The hybrid back row player took over on the serve as Jacksonville scored the next nine points on her serve. Junior Rebekah Williams spearheaded the comeback effort, scoring three-straight kills to tie the match at 20.

The non-stop action roared into the late points. Jacksonville State reached match point first, going up 24-21. Four points and a lefty hammer from junior Claire Mrukowski later, the Dolphins had a set point of their own, 25-24. After trading points, Jacksonville went back to set point, 28-27. But the Gamecocks rallied back, taking three-straight points to even the match at one set a piece.

Set 3
Neither team could take a significant lead in the third set, as both teams jockeyed for control of the match. Graduate student Madi Novak scored a kill to put JU ahead 20-18. Jacksonville State responded with a rapid five points to get within striking distance of a match win. Soon after, the Gamecocks closed it out to get within one set of a match win, 25-22.

Set 4
With two sets dropped and their backs against the wall, the Dolphins rallied to force a fifth set. Jacksonville leaned on its senior leadership, with McDonough shouldering the offensive load. JU's captain scored four of the Dolphins' final five points, including a set-winning hammer off an assist from grad student Bella Dearinger.

Set 5
Jacksonville forced a do-or-die fifth set to close out a heartstopping night of volleyball. Early kills from Williams and Tobar took the 'Phins to an early 3-1 lead. Jacksonville State retook the lead, 4-3, but the Dolphins had an answer.

JU rode a 6-1 run to a 9-4 lead, and a Gamecocks attack error combined with a Mrukowski kill put Jacksonville up 11-7. With the game on the line, it was McDonough who closed it out for the Dolphins. She scored two of the last three points, taking Jacksonville over the line, 15-10.

Coach's Comments
"It was just an overall vibe that got us through," Manguiat said. "It was not the best volleyball we've played, but I think the fans and having our other student-athletes here, our bench giving energy. That was one of our match keys was having great bench energy. I think collectively, it got us through that game, and our mentality shifted. And in the end, it was a battle and both teams played super hard."

Game Notes

• The Dolphins had four players record double-digit kills.
• McDonough posted season-high 16 kills. 
• Williams posted a double-double, scoring 13 kills and 12 digs.

Up Next
The Dolphins will be back in Swisher Gymnasium for another match in the Dolphin Volleyball Classic presented by Hampton Inn East Regency. They will face the West Virginia Mountaineers at 6 p.m.