GLENDALE, Ariz. – Building off of yesterday's performance, Jessup Volleyball took the court for the second of their back-to-back matches against the Arizona Christian Firestorm. The Warriors came out on a mission as they snagged set one, but ultimately they lost the match in four closely contested sets, putting their record at 2-4.
 
It was a seesaw battle all the way through the first set as it saw seven lead changes. Midway through the set, Mary Padilla registered a kill which put the Warriors up 12-10. However, the Firestorm soon ripped off four consecutive points to regain the lead, 14-12.
 
ACU seemed to be in control as they continued to lead for the majority of the time, although the Warriors continued to claw their way back. Trailing 19-16, the Warriors called a timeout and scored six of the next eight points to jump ahead 22-21. Even though the Firestorm again led 23-22, the Warriors claimed the final three points, with Ashanti Grayer putting the finishing touches on the late push to win the set 25-23.
 
In the second set, the Warriors and Firestorm were trading points, with neither team able to take a commanding lead. Down by two, Padilla logged a kill, followed by a MacCuish ace, tying the set at 13-13. The run then faded, and ACU was able to control the ball as they led for the remainder of the set and held on to win 25-20.
 
Set three was another close one with Jessup down two, 17-15 approaching the end. The Warriors then began to falter as the set was lost,  25-16. Despite trailing two sets to one, Jessup continued to bring the fight into the fourth set right up until the end.
 
Through the initial stages of set four, the Warriors held a three-point lead over ACU, 10-7. As recent history indicated, neither team was willing to cave in. The Firestorm then roared back to take the lead 12-10. The set lingered on, and ACU led 23-20, and the Warriors called a timeout to halt their momentum.
 
The timeout nearly did the trick as Jessup came within one point as they were down 24-23 before the Firestorm was able to notch the match-winning point to win set four 25-23.
 
Padilla led the Warriors with 15 kills, and Ashanti Grayer was also in double-figures with 11 kills. Mallory Pazin posted a season-high 20 assists, and Botagoz Joslin ended with 16. The Warriors had three players register double-digit digs with Madison Marlow's season-best of 20 and Padilla along with Pazin each at 10.
 
The next match for Jessup will be back home in Warrior Arena as they'll host Life Pacific University on March 2 and 3. With fan attendance still not permitted, the matches can be live-streamed HERE.
   
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).