JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- The Jacksonville Dolphins dropped their first match of the Dolphin Volleyball Classic presented by Hampton Inn East Regency Friday night. JU fell in four sets, 3-1 (16-25, 28-30, 25-20, 23-25) to the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.
JU was led by freshman
Jaylyn Tuiasosopo's team-high 11 kills and 12 digs. Senior
Claire Mrukowski and junior
Haley Yount each added nine kills, with Yount leading the team with a .692 hitting percentage.
Set One
The Chanticleers jumped to a big lead in the opening set, leading by as many as 10 towards the end of the set. The Dolphins tried to rally late, scoring a pair of big team blocks to spur a late rally, but it would come up short as Coastal took the first game, 25-16.
Set Two
Set two was a complete 180, with both sides bringing intensity to a vibrant Swisher Gymnasium crowd. JU struck first this time, with two early kills from sophomore Kathryn Alder propelling the Dolphins to a 4-1 lead. Coastal tied the game at four, then a pair of service aces from junior libero
Elle Kennedy surged Jacksonville back into pole position.
The Chanticleers had an answer, taking their first lead of the set 12-11. Coastal led by as many as four late, but the Dolphins wouldn't back down easy. Freshman Daingele Gonzalez --- making her college volleyball debut --- took over the serve as JU took three-straight points. Mrukowski scored then freshman
Jaylyn Tuiasosopo put one away before a Yount serve nicked the top of the net and hit the court to give JU the 25-24, set-point lead.
From there the sides traded points before ultimately Coastal Carolina pulled in front for good, 30-28.
Set Three
It looked like the Chanticleers might pull away in the third when they took a 13-8 lead, but then junior
Ana Tobar sparked a furious rally on a strong service run. She notched three aces as part of a 9-0 JU run to put the Dolphins up 17-13. Another ace, this time from Tuiasosopo got JU to 20 first, leading by four. The Dolphins took four of the final five points. Adler scored to put Jacksonville on set point, then she and Yount towered over a ball to send it back over the net to clinch the set win.
Set Four
The fourth set played out similarly to the third, with Coastal going up early before a long JU comeback to take the lead midway through the set. Mrukowski scored to cap off a 5-0 run and give the Dolphins a 13-12 lead. The game was tied late at 20, then the Chanticleers pulled in front to go to match point, 24-22. A service error gave JU another shot, but Coastal pulled off the win 25-23 to secure the match victory.
Match Notes
- Tuiasosopo reached double-digit kills for the first time in her career. She has at least 7 kills in all four matches played this season.
- Yount finished with four block assists. She has at least four blocks in every match this season. Her nine kills were a season high.
- JU had a season-high 12 service aces.
Up Next
The Dolphin Volleyball Classic presented by Hampton Inn East Regency soldiers on Saturday afternoon as the Dolphins face the UConn Huskies. First serve is scheduled for 2:30 PM.
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