![\"Jacksonville](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/jax_state_200x200.png\")
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Next Match:<\/p>\n
at Jacksonville State University<\/p>\n
8\/28\/2026 | 8:00 PM ET<\/p>\n
\n ESPN+
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\n Aug. 28 (Fri) \/ 8:00 PM ET
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\n at\u00a0Jacksonville State University
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JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — The Jacksonville Dolphins opened the 2026 volleyball season in style, rolling past the Southern Jaguars 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-17) in the opening match of the Gamecock Classic in Jacksonville, Alabama.<\/p>\n
The Dolphins have now won four consecutive season openers, including all three under head coach Alicia Manguiat. This is Jacksonville’s first sweep in a season-opener since 1994, when JU took down Florida A&M.<\/p>\n
Senior Abbie Tuyo<\/a> led the way in her Jacksonville debut, scoring a team-high 10 kills while hitting a crisp .625, adding five digs and five blocks along the way. That JU block was the story of the afternoon, with the Dolphins tallying 12 total blocks as a squad.<\/p>\n Preseason ASUN Defensive Player of the Year Haley Yount<\/a> was the spearhead, registering a team-high seven blocks. She added six kills on the offensive end as well.<\/p>\n Set One
\nFrom there, Jacksonville outscored the Jaguars 10-7 to clinch the opening set. Yount put JU on set point with a kill, then a service error gave the first game of the year to the Dolphins.<\/p>\n Set Two
\nThe Dolphins were rolling in the second set, keeping Southern at arms reach. Freshman setter Ana Nastase<\/a> made an impact in her college debut, coming in and hammering a serve for an ace. \nA Tuyo ace and Jaguars service error gave JU set two by an identical score to the opener, 25-14.<\/p>\n Set Three Tuiasosopo pushed momentum back in JU’s favor, though, launching a back row attack through the Jaguars defense.
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\nThe Dolphins led by as many as 10 late in the set, and a block from Krieger and fellow sophomore Kathryn Adler<\/a> secured the 25-17 set victory and a season opening win.<\/p>\n Match Notes
Up Next
\nJacksonville set the tone in the opening set. JU took the first four points of the set, including a pair of aces from freshman Jaylyn Tuiasosopo<\/a>. The Dolphins kept their distance in the first set, with senior Claire Mrukowski<\/a> launching a rocket to the\u00a0corner to give JU the 15-7 lead.
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\nIncluding Tuyo and Tuiasosopo, six players made their first regular season appearance in JU green. Sophomore Addison Krieger<\/a> notched her first career kill, sending a loose ball thundering back over the net.
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\nThe third, and ultimately final, set of the match started much the same as the first two. The Dolphins took an early lead, 8-3, and looked poised to complete the sweep. Southern battled back, though, pulling the score within two halfway through the set.<\/p>\n
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\n\tJunior setter Emersen Strain<\/a> made her JU debut, dishing out a career-high and team-best 17 assists.
\n\tJunior libero Elle Kennedy<\/a> recorded a career-best 10 digs.
\n\tThe Dolphins hit .342 as a team, their fourth match hitting at least .340 since the start of last season.
\n\tJacksonville recorded eight service aces as a team, led by Tuiasosopo’s five.
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\nThe Dolphins will get the afternoon off before jumping back on the court tonight against the hosting Jacksonville State Gamecocks. First serve is slated for 8 PM ET.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Next Match: at Jacksonville State University 8\/28\/2026 | 8:00 PM ET
ESPN+
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