ROCKLIN, Calif. -- The William Jessup volleyball team played a hard fought game against the Arizona Christian Firestorm that needed all five sets to decide the victor. Junior Michaela Zapata set a team-high kills but Jessup came up short losing the match, 3-2 (25-23,17-25, 8-25, 25-15, 8-15). 
 
In the opening set, the Warriors came out red hot as they took an early 10-4 lead. Despite the Warriors early efforts, the Firestorm would rally back and take a four-point advantage, 17-13 as the set approached its conclusion. The Warriors would stay the course and put together a run of their own and tie the game up, 22-22 and once again at 23. To finish it, Vendela Williams and Zapata would record consecutive kills as the Warriors claimed the opening set. 
 
At the start of set two, the Warriors were neck and neck with the Firestorm at 7 apiece as the set was tied for the fifth time. From this point on in the set, the Warriors were playing catch-up and lost 17-25 and unable to rally back in set three, the Warriors fell 8-25 as Arizona Christian held the 2-1 advantage.  
 
This resilient Warrior bunch showed no signs of quit in them and would go on to play a phenomenal fourth set with Warrior Arena loud and proud behind them. Once again the conference foes traded blows as the set included six ties. Ultimately, the Warriors would come away victorious 25-21. 
 

"The environment in Warrior Arena tonight was incredible," said head coach Shasta Millhollin. "We are so thankful for our fans. They have been there for us supporting us and it means a lot to us."

The fifth and final set wouldn't go the Warriors way, despite a strong effort ACU would take it 15-8. 
 
Leading the Warrior offense was outside hitter Zapata, who would post a personal-best 17 kills in her third season with the Warriors, and a team high for most kills in a match this season.  Middle, Vendela Williams was close behind with 10 and Makenzie Reeder-Esparza was just one shy of that with 9. In the assist department, Brianne Whitt finished with 22 and Madison Pelham had 19 of her own.

Junior libero Taylor Jacky was all over the floor as she finished the game with 31 digs, and Kacey Berger tallied 18. Alicia Borges had another great night serving the ball as she contributed a strong 3 aces. 
 

"Our team battled tonight and ultimately came up short. We plan to continue to fight in every match and we are looking forward to a great day tomorrow," Millhollin concluded.

The Warriors will be back in action to take on new conference opponent Ottawa University at 12:00 PM in Warrior Arena.  
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)