SIOUX CITY, Iowa. – Day two in Iowa for Jessup Volleyball featured a tall task as they matched up with No. 3 Midland University, which was followed with a tilt against No. 21 Grand View University. After two loses Saturday, Jessup's record after the preseason is now 1-5, with GSAC play on the horizon.
 
After another full day of volleyball, head coach Tiger Shelton praised both his opponents. "Those are two very tough teams that are both very well-coached," said Shelton. He added, "I'm also very proud of how our girls played in both matches. We played some of the best volleyball we've played all year."
 
The Warriors lost the opening match against a formidable opponent; however, Taylor Dilley put together a historic performance.
 
After a rocky start that saw Jessup down 4-0 to start, a pair of kills from Dilley along with an ace from Mallory Pazin brought the team within two points, 10-8. Seven of the following eight points were then scored by Midland, and the scoring outburst was too much to overcome, with Jessup losing the set 25-19.
 
Trailing to start set two, the Warriors rallied back, scoring six of eight points to lead 7-6. However, the momentary advantage was short-lived, and Jessup fell behind, losing the set 25-20. Through two sets played, Dilley led the team with her 12 kills.
 
While the Warriors were unable to extend the match, losing 25-17 in set three, Dilley continued to be a catalyst for the offense. In total, Dilley logged eight more kills in the final frame, giving her 20 for the match. Dilley's 20 kill outing now puts her atop the Jessup record books for a three-set match.
 
Shelton was happy for Dilley, saying, "She was on fire all match long and was hitting the ball really well."
 
Dilley herself stated that "This is something I could not have done without my awesome teammates!"
 
Midway through set one of match two, the Warriors scored four straight points taking a 14-13 lead. From then on, it was a seesaw affair with Jessup trying to keep the Vikings at bay. However, the set lingered on into extra points, and the Warriors lost a narrow one, 29-27.
 
The Warriors quickly led 2-0 after a kill from Madalyn Miller, followed by a block from Preslee Nunez and Mary Padilla. Jessup held a slim lead, 8-6, before the Vikings turned on the afterburners. Unable to keep a consistent rhythm on offense, Jessup lost the set 25-16.
 
Needing a set win to keep things alive, the Warriors led 10-6 to start set three. Grand View wasn't going down quietly, and the lead changed multiple times. Jessup had several opportunities but could not finish off the set, losing in extra points 27-25.
 
Dilley led the way on offense with 33 kills in total, while it was Pazin leading with 28 assists and Hartford ended with 23. Nunez led the front line with four blocks, and Taylor Tarble had three.
 
Next up, the Warriors will begin Golden State Athletic Conference play as they welcome the Menlo College Oaks back to Warrior Arena on September 11 with the first serve at 2:00 PM.
   
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).