JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Conference season has arrived. This year, it starts with a rivalry flavor. The Jacksonville Dolphins open their 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference season Saturday against the North Florida Ospreys in the first River City Rumble of the season.

The match is free to attend inside Swisher Gymnasium. Saturday will be a whiteout in the gym, with fans encouraged to wear white to support the Dolphins.

Jacksonville is coming off a midweek trip to Gainesville, Fla. to face the No. 8 Florida Gators. JU held its own early, led by a nine-kill night from graduate student Abbie Tuyo. The Gators would go on to win in straight sets, but now the page turns to conference play.

The Dolphins and Ospreys have met 53 times on the volleyball court. The two teams split the series in 2026. JU won on home turf, sweeping UNF in Swisher Gymnasium. The Ospreys had their revenge in the return leg, besting the Dolphins in a five-set battle at UNF Arena.

Head coach Alicia Manguiat has helped flip the rivalry on its head the last three years. Before she arrived ahead of the 2024 season, UNF had won nine of the previous 10 meetings. In her three years, Jacksonville is 3-1 against its Bold City foes.

vs. North Florida | 6 PM ET | ESPN+
Record: 7-5
Head Coach: Abby Gilleland (1st Season)
Players To Watch: S Sofia Dawson, OH Kaili Doctor, MB Yarimar Francis Garay

It's a new era at North Florida where Abby Gilleland takes over as head coach after spending a year as an assistant coach at Florida. The Ospreys had a strong run in non-conference play, posting a 7-5 record with notable wins over FIU, Kennesaw State and Appalachian State.

UNF is led by sophomore setter Sophia Dawson, who ranks second in the league in assists per set. Senior transfer outside hitter Kaili Doctor has been one of the top hitters in the league, averaging an ASUN-leading 3.98 kills per set.