ROCKLIN, Calif. – It was country night on Friday inside Warrior Arena, but more importantly, it was the start of the GSAC season as Jessup welcomed the Spirit of OUAZ. With another electric crowd in attendance, this time decked out in cowboy hats and boots, the Warriors put on another show as they won in five sets once again.
Jessup moves to 5-2 on the season, with four of those victories coming in five sets.
The victory was also a milestone for Jessup's head coach,
Tiger Shelton. Shelton became the program's winningest coach when Jessup beat Westmont in last year's GSAC Championship Match. Tonight, he moves halfway to 100 victories as he earned No. 50 of his time in Rocklin.
"It's cool," said Shelton on win No. 50. "I wanted to get the most wins in our program's history when I took the job, but I honestly didn't know I was there. I didn't know what number I was at, to be honest with you. We have a lot more wins to get, and I hope they keep coming. This doesn't come without the coaching staff, or the players, and the alumni. This comes from all of them."
The Warriors earned the victory after a dominating fifth set from junior
Madalyn Miller. Jessup led the match 2-1, but OUAZ steamrolled their way to a 25-13 victory in the fourth. That set up Jessup's fourth trip to set five this season, creating the stage for Miller to do something special.
When Miller stepped to the service line, OUAZ led the set 8-6. Eight straight Jessup points then ensued, with four coming via a Miller ace. Miller closed the match with six aces, which was the second most on the team, as
Lauren Toon totaled eight, which ties her own performance in 2021 for the second most in program history.
But it wasn't just at the service line that Miller dominated, she also led the match with 16 kills.
Eliana Sheridan was right behind her with 14.
Taylor MacCuish, who sealed the victory with her match point kill, totaled nine.
Shelton spoke about Miller's night, noting, "She can get crazy good, and we've seen that. During the beginning of the year, she had some things she wasn't confident in what she was doing. All of a sudden, her confidence hit today, and boom, she was fine. She was amazing. That last game, she basically put on her back and won the game."
"We have the right pieces," added Shelton. "Tonight, it was Maddy Miller. Last game, it was my middles. Next week, it might be my right side. So, we have some weapons, and we're able to make some changes."
It was a marquee night in Warrior Arena. On top of Country Night, the 2022 GSAC Champions were also honored pre-game with the unveiling of their championship banner. Shelton noted that his team did a good job of handling their emotions and focusing on the task at hand.
"We were better today than in previous matches. I truly believe this, and it's happened a couple of times. I said it tonight in the fifth game when they called a timeout. If you look at the stands, their parents are praying, and if you look at our parents, they're praying. God's already figured it out. This is all gonna work the way it's gonna work. So why don't you just go out there and enjoy your day?"
The Warriors will be looking to again enjoy their day tomorrow and hopefully avoid a fifth set as they host Arizona Christian. The match is scheduled for 1 p.m., and 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).
