Jacksonville University

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. --- The Jacksonville Dolphins ended their opening weekend of the 2026 season with a five-set, 3-2 defeat (25-23, 20-25, 25-16, 20-25, 10-15) to the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles.

For the third match in a row, Abbie Tuyo led JU in kills, recording a career-high 17 while adding nine digs and four blocks. Sophomore Kathryn Adler set a career-high for kills as well, notching 12 while adding five blocks.

Set One
The opening set was close as could be in the early going. Southern Miss scored to go up 15-14, but JU junior Haley Yount had a thunderous response to square things at 15.

Haley Yount brings the boom!

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— Jacksonville Volleyball ?? (@JAX_Volleyball) August 29, 2026
 

Neither side would lead by more than two points the rest of the set. The Golden Eagles took the late 23-22 edge, but Adler had the response to equal the score. Tuyo put the Dolphins on set point with her second kill of the day.

Jacksonville closed the deal with scrappy defense from junior Ana Tobar setting up Tuyo for the finishing move.

That's how you close a set!

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??:https://t.co/HLCPXO9N30#TrustTheProcess | #JUPhinsUp pic.twitter.com/IqhR4du9mL
— Jacksonville Volleyball ?? (@JAX_Volleyball) August 29, 2026
 

Set Two
The Dolphins jumped out to a 7-2 lead early in the second, and even as Southern Miss rallied, JU led 14-2 midway through the set. The momentum belonged to the Golden Eagles, though, as they finished off the 25-20 set win to square things at one game apiece.

Set Three
Jacksonville's defense created big plays in the third set. JU's block became unstoppable, wracking up points and making offense hard to come by for the Southern Mississippi hitters.

Defense makes offense.

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??:https://t.co/HLCPXO9N30#TrustTheProcess | #JUPhinsUp pic.twitter.com/zaMy2aC050
— Jacksonville Volleyball ?? (@JAX_Volleyball) August 29, 2026
 

Despite trailing early, a 6-1 run in the middle of the set swung the game hard in JU's favor. A spectacular defensive effort from junior libero Elle Kennedy kept a point alive, ending in a kill for freshman Jaylyn Tuiasosopo to put JU up 18-12.

ELLE KENNEDY TAKE A BOW! #SCTop10

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??:https://t.co/HLCPXO9N30#TrustTheProcess | #JUPhinsUp pic.twitter.com/0TcurglNXH
— Jacksonville Volleyball ?? (@JAX_Volleyball) August 29, 2026
 

Kills from Yount, Adler and Tuyo iced the set for the Dolphins to put JU back in front for the match, 2-1.

Set Four
The Dolphins had a chance to tie the match late after a Tuyo kill pulled them within one point, 17-16. But Jacksonville couldn't close the gap as Southern Miss kept at least a two point lead the rest of the way, completing a 25-20 win to force a fifth set.

Set Five
The Golden Eagles struck first in the tiebreak set, but the Dolphins rattled off four-straight points to tie the game at nine. From there, though, it was all Southern Miss. USM scored seven of the final eight points to win the set 15-10 and complete the comeback.

Match Notes

• Tuyo recorded double-digit kills in all three matches this weekend, hitting .427 in the process.
• The Dolphins recorded 12 team blocks for the second time this season. JU had three matches with at least 12 team blocks last year.
• Jacksonville has ended the opening tournament of the season with a winning record in back-to-back seasons.

Up Next
The Dolphins will play on home soil for the first time next weekend, hosting Coastal Carolina, UConn and Florida A&M at the Dolphin Volleyball Classic Presented By Hampton Inn East Regency.

The opening match against Coastal is scheduled for 7 PM Friday night.