JACKSONVILLE, Ala. --- The Jacksonville Dolphins played six sets of volleyball Friday. They won all of them. JU completed a perfect opening day with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-15, 25-13) victory over the hosting Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the second match of the Gamecock Classic.
The Dolphins are 2-0 to start a season for the first time since 2016. This is the first time JU has swept its opening two matches in the NCAA era. The last time Jacksonville won its first six sets of the season was back in the 1978 season.
For the second-consecutive match, the Dolphins were led in kills by transfer
Abbie Tuyo. She had a team-best 12 kills while hitting .647. Freshman
Jaylyn Tuiasosopo nearly joined the 10-kill club, notching nine in her second college match.
Junior setter
Emersen Strain continued to impress, recording 20 assists and nine digs, both team highs. She also recorded the first kill of her college career with a quick dump late in the first set.
Set One
The opening game was the closest battle of the day for the Dolphins. The Gamecocks led early, but Jacksonville was right behind. An early hammer from Tuiasosopo pulled JU within two as the sides failed to separate.
Jacksonville State was the first to gain a real lead, taking an 18-13 advantage deep into the game. The Dolphins didn't back down from adversity, outsourcing the hosts 12-5 the rest of the set. Junior
Haley Yount iced the game with back-to-back kills to give JU the hard-earned win.
Set Two
Jacksonville carried its momentum from the end of set one straight through the rest of the match. JU opened the set on a 9-2 run, and the game was never closer than four points the rest of the set.Â
The Dolphins received a shot, setting up senior
Jade Cuya Cobos who found sophomore
Kathryn Adler for a powerful strike to put JU up 17-11.
Three late service errors from the Gamecocks would give the set to JU, 25-15.
Set Three
The final set of the day was another dominant display for the Dolphins. JU's 25-13 win was its largest margin of victory in any of its six sets on the season's opening day. Tuyo and Tuiasosopo combined for seven kills in the final frame, including a late spike from Tuyo to put Jacksonville five points from victory, 20-9.
For the second time on the night, Yount was the closer, hammering home one last kill to cap off a perfect day of volleyball for the Dolphins.
Match Notes
- Through two matches, Tuyo is averaging 3.67 kills per set while hitting .636.
- Yount finished with four kills (.500) and four blocks. She's averaging 1.83 blocks per set through two matches.
- Over the course of Friday's action, JU is outhitting opponents .390 to .075.
Head Coach Alicia Manguiat
"I'm really proud of the way we competed today and, more importantly, the identity we're beginning to establish. To start the season 2-0 is exciting, but I'm even more encouraged by how aggressive we're playing. Our offensive is attacking with confidence and our serving is putting teams under pressure and creating opportunities for us to score."
Up Next
The Dolphins will conclude their opening tournament of the season with a Saturday showdown with the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. First serve is scheduled for noon eastern.
