TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --- The Jacksonville Dolphins traveled west for their final non-conference match of the season, facing the Florida State Seminoles. The match went a competitive four sets, but the Dolphins ultimately fell 3-1 (17-25, 22-25, 26-24, 23-25).
Jacksonville (7-10) led by was graduate student
Abbie Tuyo's 14-kill, 12-dig double-double. She led the team in kills and digs while hitting a team-best .375.
Set One
After the Dolphins scored first, Florida State took the first real lead of the opening set. Senior
Claire Mrukowski was on fire early, notching three kills in JU's first 12 points.
She and Tuyo each finished with three kills while hitting over .500. Despite the veteran hitters getting into a rhythm, Jacksonville trailed late before FSU pulled away for the eight-point set victory.
Set Two
The Dolphins settled into the match in the second set. Little separated the two sides in the first half of the set, with Florida State taking a 15-14 lead into the technical timeout. Mrukowski and Tuyo were the stars again, combining for nine kills in the set.
The Seminoles pulled ahead out of the timeout, leading by as much as five late in the set. Jacksonville answered back with late points, including a hammer from sophomore
Addison Krieger to cut the deficit to 23-19.
Despite the late rally, the Dolphins dropped the second set, 25-22.
Set Three
Jacksonville would keep the night going with a dramatic third set. Unlike the first two sets, JU was the first team to pull ahead in the third. With the set tied at nine, the Dolphins ripped off six of the next eight points to take a 15-11 lead into the technical timeout.
Florida State found a new gear after the break, rallying to tie the set and even take a lead, 20-19. Jacksonville responded with a kill from freshman
Jaylyn Tuiasosopo to tie the set, then JU took two more points to control the game.
However, FSU erased the deficit and tied the set again at 23. Tuyo put the 'Phins on their first set point, then a service error gave Jacksonville another chance to win the set. Tuyo once again got the call, putting home a shot to give JU the third, 26-24.
Set Four
It looked like Florida State would cruise to win the fourth, taking a 10-4 lead early. The Dolphins clawed back, with Mrukowski cutting the deficit to two, 14-12.
Mrukowski and Yount combined on the block to eventually tie the set, 20-20. Junior
Emersen Strain earned a service ace then Tuyo scored a kill to put JU in position to claw back the fourth.
However, Florida State took five of the final six points to pull out the narrow win.
Match Notes
- Tuiasosopo notched the second double-double of her career with 11 kills and 10 digs.
- Jacksonville won the team block battle, 9-8. Junior Haley Yount led the way with two solo blocks and four block assists.
- Strain led the team with 26 assists, a new career high.
- Tuyo has recorded three-straight double-doubles. She's notched double-digit kills in nine of her last 10 matches.
Up Next
The Dolphins will travel to face the Queens Royals Sunday at 1 PM. Jacksonville was previously slated to play at West Florida on Friday, but that match was postponed due to Tropical Storm Isaias.
