ASHLAND, Ore. – The red-hot Warriors know where the road takes them next, as the 2022 NAIA Opening Round host sites were announced Monday morning. As champions of the GSAC Tournament, Jessup heads to the national tournament, where they will open against the Southern Oregon Raiders.
 
The draw proves to be a friendly one, travel-wise, for the Warriors. SOU's Ashland campus is a five-hour drive for fans looking to make the trip from Rocklin. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time HERE.
 
Head coach Tiger Shelton was asked after last week's GSAC Tournament what this trip to nationals meant for his senior class. "I don't know, honestly," said Shelton. "I would say I think they're ready to keep going. I think they're ready to keep going. Every one of them."
 
Jessup is coming off a championship victory their last time out, sweeping No. 25 Westmont in the finale of the GSAC Tournament. The Warriors have been victorious in six straight contests, including wins in 12 of their last 13.
 
The Warriors were led in the conference tournament by 30 kills from Marina Gonzalez. Madalyn Miller contributed 26. Jessup was also lethal at the service line, finishing with 15 service aces over the weekend, seven coming from Mallory Pazin.
 
Shelton has reiterated all season that serving and defense are the keys to his team. At the conference tournament, he noted that his team "made some digs that were insane, and then we served tough. We didn't miss a lot of serves."
 
Saturday will be the 11th all-time meeting between Jessup and Southern Oregon. In ten prior contests, history has favored the Raiders as they are 10-0 against the Warriors.
 
Jessup faced SOU last season on August 28. The Warriors led the bout 2-1 through three sets, but back-to-back wins for the Raiders gave them the victory.
 
Saturday will be Shelton's fourth time squaring off with the Raiders. Two of the previous three meetings have come on Jessup's home court in Rocklin. Shelton took the Warriors up to Ashland in 2019, falling in four sets.  
 
Southern Oregon earned an at-large bid to the National Tournament, their 12th trip to nationals all-time. The Raiders went 21-10 this season, finishing third in the Cascade Collegiate Conference. SOU lost in the CCC Tournament semifinals to Corban.
 
The Warriors and Raiders share a few common opponents this season. Jessup hosted CCC schools Lewis-Clark, Oregon Tech, and Bushnell to start the season. The Warriors went 1-2 in those matches, with their win coming over then No. 19 ranked Oregon Tech on August 15. The Raiders went 4-3 against that trio of conference rivals.
 
Jessup and Southern Oregon also share common opponents in Chico State and Simpson. Both the Warriors and Raiders went 2-0 in those matchups. Those contests took place at Jessup as the Raiders came down to Rocklin for the William Jessup Invitational in August.
 
The Raiders feature two first-team All-CCC student-athletes: Hailey Van Well and Sadie Byrd. Simone Gordon and Mylena Testoni earned honorable mention honors. Gonzalez, Miller, and Taylor MacCuish were named to the All-GSAC team, with Shelton being honored as the GSAC Coach of the Year.
 
Saturday's match is scheduled for 3 p.m. from Lithia Motors Pavilion in Ashland. The match will be streamed live online 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 & Instagram).