SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – It seems as though the season has just begun, but already the Warriors took part in their final preseason contest on Tuesday, visiting the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs. On a night where the Warriors were not their most efficient, they still found a way to battle, narrowly falling in four sets.
 
Set two was the lone set won by the Warriors, 26-24. Jessup scored six of the final nine points, four coming with Taylor MacCuish at the service line, to square up the match at one.
 
The Warriors struggled to hit Tuesday night, compiling a percentage of .045, compared to a .201 showing from their NCAA Division III counterparts. UC Santa Cruz won the opening set 25-15, and backed by a 25-21 score in the third, they took a two sets to one lead.
 
Head coach Tiger Shelton credited his opponent's ability to shut down his outside hitters, stating, "The outside hitters we depend on were shut down, and a lot of that goes to (UC Santa Cruz). Good job by them. They were ready for us, and, you know, we will come back a little bit better next time."
 
Set four was highlighted by two trips to the service line from Kenzie Carpenter. Trailing 8-3 when she stepped to the service line, the Warriors strung together five straight points to even the score.
 
Down 22-18 late in the fourth, Carpenter returned to the service line for the second time, this time to start a 3-0 run that had Jessup within one. Three straight points, including back-to-back kills from Audrey Gilbert, ended the run and secured a win for the Slugs.
 
Marina Gonzalez once again sees her name at the top of the box score with a double-double of 15 kills and 11 digs. Lauren Toon added 20 digs, while Mallory Pazin contributed 11.
 
Jessup totaled eight aces at the service line, with Carpenter, MacCuish, Pazin, and Madison Marlow each contributing a pair.
 
"Madison Marlow came in and served wonderfully and got us back in a couple of games," added Shelton. "Kenzie was also serving well."
 
The loss wraps up a preseason schedule that saw the Warriors finish 3-3.
 
Shelton later added that the competition his team has faced has more than prepared them for the upcoming GSAC slate of games. "We've played a really good schedule. We didn't play a marshmallow in the bunch. Number 19, people receiving votes, we played some really good Division II teams in Chico and East Bay. I think we're ready. It's just, they gotta find out who they are still. I think we can be that team that goes out and dominates."
 
The Warriors are going to get their shot at one of the best on Friday when they take on No. 19 ranked Vanguard in Costa Mesa. Jessup will then face San Diego Christian on Saturday.
   
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).