JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- After three weeks on the road, the Jacksonville volleyball program will finally hit the floor of historic Swisher Gymnasium this weekend at the Dolphin Volleyball Classic, presented by Hampton Inn East Regency.
Dolphins Winning Ways On The Road
Jacksonville didn't just survive on its season-opening road trip, it surged to one of the best starts in recent history.
The Dolphins are 7-2, their best mark through nine games since 2013. In that season, JU started the year 9-0 en route to a 30-4 record --- a program-best in the Division 1 era --- and its second ASUN championship in program history.
Even in Jacksonville's two losses, it acquitted itself well against high-level competition. The Dolphins took the second set from Alabama on the road in the opening weekend, and they won their first-ever set against a Top 10 team against No. 9 Pitt the next weekend.
In its most recent tournament, JU swept the Bash at the Beach hosted by Bethune-Cookman. The Dolphins went a perfect 3-0 against the Wildcats, South Carolina State and Charleston Southern.
The success on the court has been great, but as Jacksonville looks towards conference season, the biggest growth point has been the culture and buy-in from the team.
"Our biggest success has been the leadership that has stepped up and seeing our whole team buy into the progress and have a growth mindset," head coach
Alicia Manguiat said.
In year two under Manguiat, the team has seen success from its core group of returners and many of the new faces brought in for this year.
Sophomore
Haley Yount earned ASUN All-Freshman honors a year ago, and she's having a breakout follow-up campaign. She leads the country in hitting percentage at .557 while providing a strong all-around game.
Among the new faces, junior
Rebekah Williams is among the stars. She leads the team in kills per set (2.75) while also providing strong back row defense, averaging 2.53 digs per set.
Graduate student
Bella Dearinger is the team's most productive setter in her first season with JU. She's averaging a team-best 6.06 assists per set, which ranks Top 10 in the ASUN. The immediate success of Jacksonville's fresh faces is a sign of things to come this year.
"It speaks volumes about our culture," Manguiat said. "They fit in and are able to have a really big role because they're bought in from day one."
Now the Dolphins will get to showcase their early season success on their home floor as the final stop before ASUN play.
The Dolphin Volleyball Classic, Presented By Hampton Inn East Regency
This weekend's tournament features three unique challenges for Jacksonville to close the non-conference season. The Dolphins will face their third power conference foe of the season, a reigning conference champion and a familiar face in the final tournament before ASUN play.
"This is a good opportunity to see from our team where we fit in and how we match up," Manguiat said.
Jacksonville State | Thursday, Sept. 18, 6 PM
The first match of the weekend will be a special one for coach Manguiat, as she faces her former college head coach Derek Schroeder. She played for Schroeder at Samford, where they reached the NCAA Tournament in 2011.
Now, Schroeder leads a talented Jacksonville State team into Swisher Gymnasium in a battle of old ASUN foes. The Gamecocks won the last two match-ups, but the programs haven't faced off since 2022.
Jacksonville State is 5-4 this season, with winning records in each of its last two non-conference tournaments. The Gamecocks are looking to rebound from a 10-21 season in a competitive Conference USA.
West Virginia | Friday, Sept. 19, 6 PM
West Virginia is the first power conference team to visit Swisher Gymnasium since 2007. The Mountaineers are off to a perfect 9-0 start to the season, and they've won their last 14 sets played.
In year two under head coach Jen Greeny, West Virginia has already surpassed its 2024 win total as it gets ready for a heated season in the Big 12 conference.
Jacksonville will look to get its first win over a power conference opponent since defeating Clemson in five sets in 2011. This is also the Dolphins' first-ever match against the Mountaineers.
Florida A&M | Saturday, Sept. 20, 3:30 PM
JU closes out the weekend with a familiar foe, the Florida A&M Rattlers. The Dolphins have faced FAMU each of the last two seasons, and the teams are tied 19-19 all-time. The Rattlers got one over Jacksonville last season, winning in four sets at Florida A&M's home tournament.
FAMU is off to a 2-6 start this season, but the Rattlers were one of the best teams in Florida a year ago. Florida A&M went 27-7, winning a SWAC Championship and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Saturday's game is the Dolphins Fourth and Gold Match and Childhood Cancer Awareness Game. Fans are asked to wear gold in support of Fourth and Gold's cancer research.
Following the tournament, the Dolphins will roll right into conference play. They'll travel to face the Queen Royals Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.
