COSTA MESA, Calif, – The William Jessup Warrior's volleyball team took to the road for back-to-back conference matchups this week. Despite a strong showing against the No. 13 team in the nation, the Warriors lost in straight sets to the Vanguard University Lions, 25-20, 25-23, and 25-10. 

The Warriors had the Lions on the ropes throughout the first set taking the lead several times and held a 14-11 edge as the set was drawing to a close. From this point on the game would be tied up four times. In the late stages of the set, an error from the service line for the Lions would give the Warriors a narrow 18-17 lead. The Warriors would be unable to come back from Lion's late run to fall 25-20.

In set two Jessup trailed right out the gates, 3-0 but would remain resilient throughout the second frame, battling till the finish. About halfway through the second set, the Warriors found themselves trailing 15-10. A kill by Taylor Tarble set up by Madison Pelham would bring Jessup within one point, 17-16. As the match lingered on, Michaela Zapata would get in on the action taking a big swing at the ball to tie the game up 22-22, forcing Vanguard to call timeout. Only able to find one more point, the Lions took the set 25-23. 

Set three proved to be a tall task for the Warriors and as they lost, 25-10 to close out the match. 

Vendela Williams would finish with a team-high 7 kills while Laurie Stephan and Ashanti Grayer each finished with 5. Brianne Whitt had the high in assists with 14 while Madison Pelham closed out the match with 8 of her own. Taylor Jacky had a phenomenal game as she led the Warriors with 16 digs, not afraid to hit the deck to keep the ball alive.

After the game head coach Shasta Millhollin was proud of how her team battled saying, "We fought hard very hard tonight. We are most impressed with our ability to side out and fight back from a deficit in set 2, that kind of heart is hard to come by." 

The Warriors will continue the road trip taking on San Diego Christian tomorrow before heading back home.

"Our players played solid unselfish volleyball and we are proud of that," Millhollin concluded. "We are looking forward to rolling our high energy and perseverance into tomorrow's match." 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).