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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville junior Haley Yount was named the Atlantic Sun’s Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year ahead of the 2026 season, the league announced Wednesday.

Yount and senior Claire Mrukowski were also named to the preseason All-ASUN team.

Yount is the first player in ASUN history to sweep preseason Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. She is also the first Dolphin in program history to win Preseason Player of the Year or Defensive Player of the Year.

Last year, the St. Louis, Missouri, native had a breakout season in the middle for JU. She ranked in the top three nationally for hitting percentage, hitting .454 — the second-best hitting percentage in program history.

In addition to her offensive efficiency, Yount was the best blocker in the league last season. She led the conference with 1.13 blocks per set.

She racked up the awards as a sophomore, earning All-ASUN First Team honors, All-Tournament Team honors and earning the first AVCA All-Region selection in Jacksonville history.

Mrukowski is the Dolphins leading returner on the outside. She averaged 2.5 kills per set a year ago, best of any returner on the roster. She was one of the most efficient hitters in the league, ranking Top 10 with a .309 hitting percentage.

Dolphins Picked Second In Coaches Poll

The league’s coaches picked Jacksonville to finish second in the preseason coaches poll. The Dolphins were one of three teams to receive a first-place vote. Jacksonville finished second in the league a season ago, posting a 22-8 record with a 12-4 mark in conference play. The Dolphins reached the semifinals of the ASUN Tournament in the postseason.

Jacksonville trails only FGCU, the reigning regular season champions, in the preseason standings.

Preseason ASUN Awards

Player of the Year: Haley Yount, Jacksonville

Defensive Player of the Year: Haley Yount, Jacksonville

Setter of the Year: Sofia Dawson, North Florida

All-ASUN Team:

Haley Yount, Jacksonville

Claire Mrukowski, Jacksonville

Payton Parsons, Bellarmine

Julija Grubisic Cabo, FGCU

Kendall Newbold, North Florida

Elizabeth Layson, Queens

Zuzanna Bury, Stetson

Vitoria Stedile, Stetson

2026 Preseason Coaches Poll

Pl. Team (1st Place votes) Points

1. FGCU (6) – 62

2. Jacksonville (1) – 54

3. Lipscomb – 46

4. North Florida – 39

5. Queens (1) – 38

6. Stetson – 19

7. Bellarmine – 16

8. West Florida – 14