Next Match:
Bellarmine University
10/17/2025 | 7:00 PM ET
ESPN+
Oct. 17 (Fri) / 7:00 PM ET
Bellarmine University
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Jacksonville volleyball team took its first match against the Lipscomb Bisons since 2022, taking down the ASUN preseason No. 1 in four sets. The Dolphins (15-3, 6-0 ASUN) have won seven-straight matches while dropping just two sets in ASUN play.
This is Jacksonville’s first win streak of seven or more matches since winning 10 straight in 2013. With the win Saturday, the Dolphins matched their season win total from last season and became the first ASUN team to 15 wins.
How It Happened
Set 1
The opening set was every part the marquee match-up fans expected. The Dolphins took an early 8-5 lead, with a solo block from sophomore Haley Yount accentuating a 5-0 JU run. The Bisons re-tied the set at 16 and took a two-point lead to close a 5-0 run of their own.
Senior libero Kristina Nika notched a service ace to get the Dolphins to 20. From their, Jacksonville pulled away. Juniors Alija Heins and Claire Mrukowski combined for a block on the right side to put JU on set point. A Lipscomb service error gave JU the opening set.
Set 2
The Dolphins jumped all over the hosts in the second set, taking seven of the first nine points. The Bisons cut the lead to one and pushed Jacksonville into the middle of the set. The errors piled up for Lipscomb, though, as JU won the race to 20.
Jacksonville closed the second set with a 3-0 run. Mrukowski scored the first kill, then the Bisons committed a service error. Graduate student Madi Novak closed it out with a service ace.
Set 3
The hosts came alive in the third set. Lipscomb took a 10-5 lead early, and the Dolphins were left playing catch up the rest of the night. The Bisons won eight of the final 11 points in the set to end the sweep and push the match to a fourth.
Set 4
After dropping its first set since Sept. 26, Jacksonville quickly responded to close out the set in four. The Dolphins took an 8-3 lead with four early blocks pushing JU out in front and forcing a Lipscomb timeout.
Mrukowski made the lead 20-13 with her 12th kill of the night. Yount put the ‘Phins on match point, and yet another Lipscomb error did the hosts in, giving the Dolphins a set four win, 25-16.
Coach’s Comments
“I am extremely proud of this group for how we approached the matches this weekend,” head coach Alicia Manguiat said. “It’s not easy to play in someone else’s gym and win on the road. We went into these matches highly motivated and stayed resilient through both. Rebekah Williams and Claire Mrukowski stepped up and carried a heavy load, while Bella Dearinger and Tina Nika both accomplished major accolades this weekend!”
Match Notes
- Graduate student Bella Dearinger reached 2,000 career assists in the win.
- Nika recorded her 1,000th career dig in the win.
- The Dolphins out-blocked the Bisons 16-4.
- Mrukowski led the team with 13 kills.
- JU is 6-0 in conference play for the first time since 2017.
Up Next
The Dolphins will return to Swisher Gymnasium next weekend for a series against Bellarmine and Eastern Kentucky. JU will face the Knights Friday, Oct. 17, with first serve set for 7 p.m. Jacksonville faces the Colonels Saturday, Oct. 18 at 5 p.m. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.