JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- The Atlantic Sun season is in full swing as the Jacksonville Dolphins prepare for their first full weekend of the ASUN season. Jacksonville heads north to face the Bellarmine Knights (Friday, 6 PM, ESPN+) and Lipscomb Bisons (Saturday, 2:30 PM, ESPN+).
The Dolphins are coming off their ASUN opener against North Florida. Jacksonville went to five sets with their River City Rivals, with the Ospreys ultimately taking the first match of conference play.
A season ago, JU went undefeated against the Knights and Bisons. Jacksonville took down Lipscomb in Nashville, winning in four sets. The Dolphins hosted Bellarmine, sweeping them on home court.
For the last month, Jacksonville has been led by a red-hot
Abbie Tuyo. The graduate student outside hitter has recorded at least nine kills in seven-straight matches and nine of her last 10.
@ Bellarmine | Friday, 6 PM ET | ESPN+
Record: 7-5
Head Coach: Rick Nold (5th Season)
Players To Watch: L Payton Parsons, OH Mya White, S Maddie Carnes
The Knights are off to a strong start this season, looking to secure the program's first winning season since joining the ASUN in 2020. Bellarmine started conference play with an emphatic straight-sets win over Lipscomb on home court last weekend.
That led to awards recognition for the team. Freshman setter Maddie Carnes was named the league's Setter of the Week and Freshman of the Week, while libero Payton Parsons won Defensive Player of the Week.
@ Lipscomb | Saturday, 2:30 PM ET | ESPN+
Record: 7-4
Head Coach: Sarah Baldwin (1st Season)
Players To Watch: OH Ella Durham, S Kelsey Schenck, MB Sydney Strenger
It's a new era for the Bisons as they welcome just the second head coach in the program's Division I history. It's been a strong debut for Sarah Baldwin's crew, posting marquee wins over Florida State and Memphis in the non-conference season.
The Bisons are one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league. Outside hitter Ella Durham is second in the ASUN in kills (3.75 per set), while middle blocker Sydney Strenger (.374) leads the league in hitting percentage and setter Kelsey Schenck leads in assists (10.20 per set).
