HONOLULU, Hawaii – Jessup's trip across the Pacific Ocean has met its end as the No. 25 ranked Warriors wrapped up the Magic Island Hawaii Classic against Bryan College on Saturday. Following last night's five-set thriller, the Warriors wasted no time on Saturday as they earned their first sweep victory of the year.
The win improves the Warriors to 3-2 overall and sends Jessup back to the mainland after a 2-1 showing in Oahu.
It was a whirlwind of a week for the Warriors, who started the week by flying into Maui with bags filled with supplies for those affected by the Maui fires. Head coach
Tiger Shelton noted after Saturday's match that the entire experience was one he would never forget.
"It's been an amazing trip," said Shelton. "From getting the bags packed to taking them to the airport, and Southwest Airlines helping us all the way across the ocean in getting our stuff to Maui that day. We left, and then five hours later, the stuff we brought was in Lahaina being given to the people. That's an amazing thing right there. I had nothing to do with that. That was a God thing."
On the volleyball court, Jessup got a victory over Embry-Riddle on Friday in a match that wrapped up after 1 a.m. in California. The day began with Jessup dropping a four-set battle with the No. 3 ranked team in the nation, Eastern Oregon.
"It was a long game yesterday," added Shelton, who noted that the team had not fully adjusted to the three-hour time change. "But they pulled it out, and they were dead tired because they were playing at one o'clock in the morning. Not a lot of times do you play at one o'clock in the morning. And then to get up in the morning, go to breakfast, and then show up to play again the way we did today, it was great."
Jessup won the opening set Saturday, 25-21, and then showed no signs of fatigue as they rolled their way to a 25-10 victory in the second. Perhaps fatigue finally set in late in the third, as Jessup lost three straight points while sitting just one away from winning the match. But after Shelton called timeout, the Warriors regrouped and got the point they needed on a
Taylor MacCuish kill to seal the victory.
Junior
Madalyn Miller led the Warriors with 11 kills in the win, while MacCuish closed the match with nine. Oahu native
Alexis Kepa wrapped up her final match in front of her hometown with 15 assists and two service aces.
On Kepa's homecoming, Shelton said, "It was really nice. They made a big deal out of all the girls that came back home. (Kepa) had a really good time. She had a good tournament and played well. I'm just happy for her."
The Warriors now get to enjoy a night off in Hawaii before returning home tomorrow. When asked what the itinerary for tonight is, Shelton added, "We're going to go eat some food and then hit the beach, have some fun, and enjoy our day."
Jessup will now get to play on their home court for the first time this season, as their next match comes on Saturday against Stanton University. This will be the first meeting between the two schools in any sport. Saturday's match is scheduled for 1 p.m.
The Warriors will then host UC Merced on September 5. Tickets are on sale
HERE.
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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 Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).
