SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – Wrapping up a two-game road trip in Southern California, the Warriors needed five sets on Saturday to secure a needed victory over The Master's University. Highlighted by a record performance, Jessup moves to 5-9 (4-3 GSAC) in what has been a highly competitive season.
 
Head Coach Tiger Shelton was elated after the match, stating, "This game we came out very strong. Overall, I'm very proud of my girls for how they played, and that was a complete team effort."
 
In typical fashion to how they have played all year long, the Warriors got off to a red-hot start Saturday as they scored the match's first three points. TMU would counter with a run to go ahead 13-11 before the Warriors regained composure to steal the opening set, 25-17.
 
Jessup would piece together a 6-0 run in the opener, highlighted by a kill from Cloe Gunter.
 
Into the second set, both teams played a seesaw battle that saw the Warriors edge ahead 22-21 thanks to an ace from first-year Warrior Emily Leal. The lead could not be sustained, as the Mustangs countered to take the set, 25-23.
 
The Warriors quickly got in a hole after a 25-11 loss in the third set, putting them behind 2-1 on the match.
 
Needed to win the fourth set to keep the match alive, the Warriors would never trail in this set as they took the fourth 25-14. The momentum shift was exactly what the Warriors needed as it carried over into the deciding fifth set, with Jessup taking home the match behind a 15-9 effort.
 
Set five was catapulted by a key block from Taylor Tarble and Mary Padilla, giving the Warriors a 7-6 advantage that powered them to the finish.
 
Shelton spoke on the match's ending, adding, "We had a very devastating third set. However, we dug in and came back in the fourth and fifth set, which showcased our teams' perseverance."
 
Leading the offensive efforts for the Warriors Saturday was junior Taylor Dilley. Dilley totaled a Jessup five-set record 22 kills, her third 20-plus kill performance of the season. Dilley also etched her name into the record books at the service line, setting a five-set record for aces with eight.
 
The Warrior's 18 service aces finish as the third-most in program history for any match and are the most ever in a five-set competition.
 
Padilla helped round out the offensive efforts with 14 kills to pair with 16 digs. Alyssa Bartlett helped set up many of the Jessup points as we finished with a season-best 15 assists. Mallory Pazin and Ella Hartford added 14 and 13 assists, respectively.
 
Saturday's win shows the growth of the Jessup Volleyball program, as it is just the fourth all-time victory for Jessup over The Master's University in 19 all-time meetings.
 
Jessup will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 8, when they play host to Hope International University inside Warrior Arena. The contest is slated for 5 p.m.
   
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 and Instagram).