JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Dolphins ended their home season in style, securing a three-set win (25-20, 25-18, 25-18) over the Bellarmine Knights.
Jacksonville (11-15, 5-7 ASUN) was led by its senior class on senior night. Graduate student
Abbie Tuyo tallied a team-high 13 kills while senior
Claire Mrukowski was right behind her with 11 kills while hitting .417 on the day.
Set One
The opening set looked poised to start a close match. The teams traded the first 20 points of the night, and Jacksonville led by just two points at the technical timeout, 15-13. JU finally started to pull away at the end of set.
Freshman
Jaylyn Tuiasosopo and senior
Alija Heins combined for a block on the outside to give the Dolphins the serve up 20-18. On Heins service run, Jacksonville ripped off a 3-0 run to put itself in pole position. A kill from Tuiasosopo off an assist from senior
Jade Cuya Cobos closed the door, 25-20.
Set Two
It looked like Bellarmine was poised to tie the match at one set all, taking a 10-5 lead in the second. The Dolphins called timeout and would take eight of the next 10 points to lead 15-12 heading into the media timeout.
That momentum carried after the break, with JU leading by as many as seven. Junior
Haley Yount closed the door on set point, giving Jacksonville the 25-18 win.
Set Three
Tuyo took center stage as she looked to end her time at Swisher Gymnasium on a high. She scored five kills on eight attempts to lead the Dolphins in what ultimately became the deciding set.
A Mrukowski kill put Jacksonville up five at the technical timeout. From there, the Dolphins kept a distance from the Knights. A service put error put JU up 20-15, then a Bellarmine error put Jacksonville on match point.
In their final match on their home court, Cuya Cobos teed it up for Mrukowski who finished things off in decisive fashion.
Match Notes
- This is the Dolphins first three-set win since taking down Wright State Sept. 12.
- Cuya Cobos averaged 12 assists per set, finishing with 36.
- Heins tied a season-high with six blocks, all assists.
- Mrukowski's 11 kills are her most since JU's five-set win over Stetson Oct. 17.
- Tuiasosopo and junior Elle Kennedy both finished with 10 digs.
Head Coach Alicia Manguiat
"I'm proud of the energy and joy our team brought to the court tonight. This was a special night for our program celebrating all four seniors, and our entire team celebrated them tonight with how they played. Still plenty to improve on heading into the last week of the season, but tonight was a great night for us."
Up Next
The Dolphins will make up their previously scheduled trip to West Florida this coming Wednesday. First serve from Pensacola is scheduled for 6 PM ET.
