ROCKLIN, Calif. - In true Warrior fashion, the Jessup volleyball team went the distance on Friday night taking on Hope International in their first conference matchup of the season winning down the stretch 3-2 (25-15, 29-31, 19-25, 15-9) advancing to 6-9 overall this season.

"Tonight was a huge win and very important for us," head coach Tiger Shelton commented. "Hope came out and played amazing defense and while we had a little bit of a lull, we made sure we were ready when we got to set five."

With back-to-back five-set match wins, this is the sixth five-set match of the year with a dynamic duo leading the Warriors on the offensive force in Taylor Dilley and Mary Padilla. Combined, the two Warriors had 33 kills of the team total of 68.

"Mary and Taylor carried the load tonight, they did amazing, but it's a team effort.," Shelton said. "Tonight we hit .222, I'm not sure the last time we hit that well, I'm really happy we can play at that level."

Dilley combined for 24 kills, a new program record for the most in a five-set match. Coach Shelton describes the incoming transfer as a savvy hitter, she's smart and she works hard.

Warriors made a roaring start out the gate taking the first set by double digits, 25-15. Knotted at 12, the Warriors went on a 13-3 run to take the first set over the Royals. It was a block party at the net as there were nine total blocks just in the first set. Both Dilley and Padilla held down the outside as they both recorded 6 kills to open the set.

The back-and-forth match would continue in the second and third sets where the two teams went well beyond the required score to tie 10 times before the scoreboard would read 22-22 in the second set. The Royals and Warriors would tie another six times before the visiting Royals would take advantage of a pair of Warrior errors to even the match 1-1.

The Warriors would trail the third set 20-11 before they started chipping away at the lead with a 6-1 run making it 22-17 down the stretch. But the lead proved to be too much as the Royals would take the 2-1 advantage with a 25-19 victory.

In do or die fashion, the Warriors answered back in the final two sets, taking the fourth in a close 25-21 and the fifth 15-9. Consistency is key in a competitive conference such as the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC), with the five-set match, the Warriors are still looking to ditch that mid-match lull.

Leading the Warriors were Dilley (24) and Padilla (19), followed by 9 kills from Cloe Gunter, 7 from Madalyn Miller and three from middle Taylor Tarble. Leading the block party for the Warriors was Preslee Nunez with 7, while Tarble contributed 6 and the team totaled 20. Mallory Pazin led with 34 assists and holding down the back row was Dilley (17) and Lauren Toon (16) in the dig category.

Up next, the Warriors take on Life Pacific tomorrow at 2 pm. The Warriors will look to continue to improve on their 5-3 conference start.

"I feel good about tomorrow if we come to play, we have a shot to change the standing, giving ourselves a chance to be at the top."

   
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).