{"id":238460,"date":"2025-09-19T08:16:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T08:16:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/238460\/"},"modified":"2025-09-19T08:16:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T08:16:16","slug":"dolphins-win-five-set-thriller-over-jacksonville-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/238460\/","title":{"rendered":"Dolphins Win Five-Set Thriller Over Jacksonville State"},"content":{"rendered":"\n


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\"West<\/p>\n

Next Match:<\/p>\n

West Virginia University<\/p>\n

9\/19\/2025 | 6:00 PM ET<\/p>\n


\n Sep. 19 (Fri) \/ 6:00 PM ET \n <\/p>\n

\"West<\/p>\n


\n \u00a0West Virginia University \n <\/p>\n

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla.<\/strong> — The Jacksonville volleyball team returned to Swisher Gymnasium for the first time this season, and it treated the home fans to a thrilling five-set victory over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the opening match of the Dolphin Volleyball Classic, presented by Hampton Inn East Regency.<\/p>\n

The Dolphins were led by senior Breanna McDonough’s<\/a> 16 kills. Jacksonville rallied from down 2-1 after the third set, winning the fourth and fifth set for its fourth-straight win.<\/p>\n

“That’s a very good team, and they did a lot of things that we couldn’t stop, but in the end, we still believed in ourselves and believed in our connection, and I think that’s really what helped us,” head coach Alicia Manguiat<\/a> said.<\/p>\n

How It Happened<\/strong>

\nSet 1

\nJacksonville came out red hot in the opening set, with a passionate and raucous home crowd setting the tone in the opening moments of the match. The game was a near stalemate as the Gamecocks cut the lead to 11-9, but the Dolphins raced to the finish from that point on.<\/p>\n

Jacksonville scored 14 of the last 17 points in the first set, soaring past Jacksonville State 25-10 in the opening set.<\/p>\n

Set 2

\nAfter a blowout in the opener, set two was anything but. For a moment, it looked as if it’d be the Gamecocks running away with things, as they took a 20-11. Jacksonville State was poised to tie the match as quickly as they trailed, but the Dolphins and sophomore Ana Tobar<\/a> had other plans.<\/p>\n

The hybrid back row player took over on the serve as Jacksonville took the next nine points on her serve. Junior Rebekah Williams<\/a> spearheaded the comeback effort, scoring three-straight kills to tie the match at 20.<\/p>\n

The non-stop action roared into the late points. Jacksonville State reached match point first, going up 24-21. Four points and a lefty hammer from junior Claire Mrukowski<\/a> later, the Dolphins had a set point of their own, 25-24. After trading points, Jacksonville went back to set point, 28-27. But the Gamecocks rallied back, taking three-straight points to even the match at one set a piece.<\/p>\n

Set 3

\nNeither team could take a significant lead in the third set, as both teams jockeyed for control of the match. Graduate student Madi Novak<\/a> scored a kill to put JU 20-18. Jacksonville State responded with a rapid five points to get within striking distance of a match win. Soon after, the Gamecocks closed it out to get within one set of a match win, 25-22.<\/p>\n

Set 4

\nWith two sets dropped and their backs against the wall, the Dolphins rallied to force a fifth set. Jacksonville leaned on its senior leadership, with McDonough shouldering the offensive load. JU’s captain scored four of the Dolphins final five point, including a set-winning hammer off an assist from grad student Bella Dearinger<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Set 5

\nJacksonville forced a do-or-die fifth set to close out a heartstopping night of volleyball. Early kills from Williams and Tobar took the ‘Phins to an early 3-1 lead. Jacksonville State retook the lead, 4-3, but the Dolphins had an answer.<\/p>\n

JU rode a 6-1 run to a 9-4 lead, and a Gamecocks attack error and Mrukowski kill put Jacksonville up 11-7. With the game on the line, it was McDonough who closed it out for the Dolphins. She scored two of the last three points, taking Jacksonville over the line, 15-10.<\/p>\n

Coach’s Comments<\/strong>

\n“It was just an overall vibe that got us through,” Manguiat said. “It was not the best volleyball we’ve played, but I think the fans and having our other student athletes here, our bench giving energy. That was one of our match keys was having great bench energy. I think collectively, it got us through that game, and our mentality shifted. And in the end, it was a battle and both teams played super hard.”<\/p>\n

Game Notes<\/strong>
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