ROCKLIN, Calif. – The Jessup volleyball team had a battle against Vanguard University Friday night in Warrior Arena. The Lady Warriors lost in the fifth-set, despite season highs in kills for Taylor Jacky (16) and Makenzie Reeder-Esparza (12).
 
Head Coach Shasta Millhollin goes in depth saying, "Makenzie and Taylor were HUGE for us tonight! They have been working tremendously hard day in and day out in practice. Makenzie has the size and power that we need and TJ (Taylor Jacky) is our smaller, crafty hitter. A lot of people might not realize that TJ swings a ton out of the back row too. Both are true leaders on and off the court."
 
Before tonight's match, the Lady Warriors were 1-24 against Vanguard in sets played, only winning one set dated back to August 27, 2011. This was Jessup's first time ever winning two sets and pushing it to a fifth-set against the Lions in school history.
 
From the opening set the Warriors and the Lions battled it out. Jessup got off to a quick start leading 5-3, before Vanguard would immediately battle back, taking the lead and set 25-18.
 
The second set continued to be a slugfest, but Warrior defense proved to be strong. Jessup got on a roll scoring to force a Vanguard timeout taking a 10-6 lead. Momentum did not stop, nor did the defense, Elizabeth Gallon had two huge blocks, followed by a Jensen Paris' block to take the second set 25-23.
 
"Our defense, led by Kacey Berger is strong," Millhollin added. "I think it's easy to take Kacey for granted because she is so incredibly good. She sets the tone for our defense and inspires the rest of our team to never let a ball drop without a fight."
 
The Warriors found themselves down early in the third set (11-6). Following a Warriors timeout, Jessup went on to score six-straight points to take the advantage over the Lions. The Lady Warriors would momentarily give up the lead, but not for long as freshmen Jacky and Alicia Borges had other plans, winning yet another battle, 27-25.
 
In true fashion, a battle brewed fast in the fourth set and came down to the wire between the Lions and Warriors. Exchanging the lead through 16, neither wanted to pull away until the Lions began a breakaway at 19-16. Vanguard would go on to win 25-21 forcing a deciding fifth set, but not before two season-high kill records were recorded by Jacky (16) and Redder-Esparza (12).
 
Jessup' third fifth-set match of the season did not go as planned, but wasn't lost without a hard fight. The Lady Warriors found themselves down early 3-0, battling back to come within two (4-6). At the exchange of sides the Warriors trailed 4-8, unable to pickup momentum as the Lions pulled away, taking the final set (15-6) and match, 3-2.
 
The Warriors will hit the road next Thursday, October 6 to play San Diego Christian College, starting at 7 p.m. followed by Arizona Christian on Saturday, October 8 at 7 p.m.
 
"I have never had a team fight so hard being down 6-14 in the third set. The way this team fights is unparalleled," Millhollin concluded. "We are fired up going into our last two matches of the first-round of GSAC play and we are excited about the opportunity to get some conference wins. The team knows that we have a lot of season left and we have barely scratched the surface of what we can do!" 
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).