Jacksonville University

PITTSBURGH, Pa. --- The Jacksonville Dolphins stepped into the brand new Victory Heights Arena to face the highest-ranked opponent in program history, battling the No. 2 Pitt Panthers in a three-set defeat (11-25, 16-25, 19-25). 

Freshman Jaylyn Tuiasosopo was the playmaker for the Dolphins. She led the way with a team-high nine kills, also adding five digs on the defensive end. 

Set One
Early kills from Abbie Tuyo and Claire Mrukowski had Jacksonville tied in the first few points, but the hosting Panthers showed their mettle to take a 10-5 lead early. Tuyo would add two more to her tally in the first, but Pitt would take the victory, 25-11.

Set Two
The Panthers jumped to an early lead in the second, but the Dolphins battled hard to keep in fighting distance. Daiangelie Gonzalez scored a kill then on the serve of Emersen Strain, Jacksonville took the next four points. 

Ultimately Pitt would have a run of its own and close out the set, 25-16.

Set Three
The Dolphins flipped the script early in the third. On another Strain service run, JU took the first four points of the match to build an early lead. One of those early points came from Tuiasosopo, who showed off the soft touch and IQ with a sneaky back row kill.

Jaylyn Tuiasosopo with the feathery touch ??

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??:https://t.co/ieymmb5TBF#TrustTheProcess | #JUPhinsUp pic.twitter.com/DcloKQiSXK
— Jacksonville Volleyball ?? (@JAX_Volleyball) September 12, 2026
 

Even as the Panthers answered back, Jacksonville kept its lead into the middle of the set. A strong effort from Strain to set the ball over her head teed up Tuyo for a gritty kill to send JU to the technical timeout up 15-12.

What a play from Emersen Strain and Abbie Tuyo finishes it off! 'Phins lead at the technical timeout.

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??:https://t.co/ieymmb5TBF#TrustTheProcess | #JUPhinsUp pic.twitter.com/Z3m66BtAC7
— Jacksonville Volleyball ?? (@JAX_Volleyball) September 12, 2026
 

Pitt came out of the break with a long run, ending the match with a 25-19 set win.

Match Notes

• Tuiasosopo's 10 kills are a new career-high in a three-set match.
• Strain has recorded at least 15 assists in five of JU's seven matches this season.
• Addison Krieger led the team with three blocks. She has at least three blocks in four-straight matches.

Up Next
The Dolphins will be back at Victory Heights Arena Saturday afternoon for a showdown with reigning Horizon League champions Wright State, who won its first match of the tournament Friday in four sets over High Point.