ROCKLIN, Calif. - The William Jessup volleyball team hosted the No. 11 team in the country as The Masters University came to town for a conference matchup. Unfortunately, the Warriors were unable to pull out the win despite the first set win, but it was a thrilling four-set battle. (25-23, 20-25, 14-25,  20-25).  

The Warriors played an all-around great team performance and it was pleasing to head coach Shasta Millhollin as she said, "One thing that we can always count on with this team is that they battle. They battle like crazy." 

In the opening set, the Warriors would start to pull away from the Mustangs as they led 11-5 after an attack error off an Alicia Borges serve. Late in the set, the Mustangs scored 5 out of 6 points cutting into the Warriors lead. Eventually, in the final moments of the set, the Warriors clung to a one-point advantage and Vendela Williams recorded the final kill to win the set. 

The second set was a nail-biter much like the first. Initially, the Warriors were primed to take the second set as they led it 6-3 after a kill from Jasmine Pinon. The Warriors would lose their grasp on the lead as they Mustangs ripped off a 10-2 scoring run to take the lead 13-8. Keeping the fight alive, the Warriors continued to battle and inched closer in the waning moments as they trailed 20-22. Despite the late momentous run, it wasn't enough as the Warriors lost the set, 20-25. 

After a rough third set that the Warriors lost 14-25, they remained mentally tough and didn't cave in as they pressed on fighting till the finish. The fourth set encountered eight different ties as it was a back-and-forth affair. Even though the Warriors put together a strong display, they came up short losing 20-25. 

Leading the Warriors in kills was Michaela Zapata with 11 and Mackenzie Reeder-Esparza ended with 8. From the service line Alicia Borges, Taylor Jacky and Alex DeMaranville-Robinson all record an ace. Taylor Tarble stood tall on the front line as she led with 4 blocks while  Williams and Pinon each had 3.  Jacky led with 22 digs as she had a strong defensive performance. Brianne Whitt had a team-high 17 assists as well as having 17 digs. 

Coach Millhollin finished by saying, "We could not be more proud of the fight this team continues to bring to each match. More importantly, they are living our team WE>me mentality."

The Warriors will be back in action on their home floor Saturday at 3 PM against Westmont College. 
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) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat).