ATHERTON, Calif. – Closing off a three-match road trip, the Warriors traveled up to the Bay Area on Friday to square off against Menlo College. Jessup was able to hold their own and battle back into he match at several different points, but ultimately it was the Oaks who took the match 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-14).
Menlo started the match red hot, going on a 7-1 run to start the opening set. Jessup then began to find their footing, scoring seven of the next nine points to trim the deficit to one at 9-8. The set stayed very even from that point, with the Oaks holding a narrow advantage until a kill by sophomore Courtney Lengyel (Diamond Bar, CA) evened the match at 22-22. However, Menlo would go on a 3-0 run to take the set 25-22.
The second set started a lot like the first set ended, with both teams battling it out. After a kill by freshman Carlie Mills (Scottsdale, AZ), Jessup was all tied up with the Oaks at 7-7. Menlo then began to pull away, eventually getting ahead by as much as seven at 21-14. The Warriors were able to trim the lead to just two late in the set, but it wasn't enough as the Oaks won 25-21.
Trying to build up some momentum to keep within the match, the Warriors again started even with the Oaks in set three as each team found themselves deadlocked at 6-6. For the next few points, the score again stayed even moving to 10-10 before the Oaks scored five of the next six to pull ahead 15-11. Momentum was on Menlo's side from that point on, as they pulled away to take the set 25-14, sweeping the Warriors.
Leading for Jessup Friday was Mills who finished tied for a game high 9 kills. Freshman Makenzie Reeder-Esparza (Sacramento, CA) recorded 5 kills and a block. Junior Jennah Richmond (Napa, CA) and sophomore Kassidy Heuvelhorst (Yuba City, CA) each recorded 3 blocks.
With the loss, the Warriors overall record on the season drops to 6-18. Jessup's record in Golden State Athletic Conference play moves to 1-12, with just three more conference matches to play this season.
The next time Jessup plays will be their final home match of the season. On Friday, November 6, the Warriors will play host to Vanguard University at noon. The match will be Jessup's senior day, with a special ceremony taking place prior to the match to honor all of the Warrior seniors.
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William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook), @WJUSports (Twitter), and @JessupAthletics (Instagram, and Snapchat).
