TURLOCK, Calif. – Head coach
Kyle Steele noted on Friday that the Warriors got the "fifth set monkey off our back," and by doing so, it seems they have gotten the winning train rolling. With two more victories on Saturday, Jessup now sits on a four-match win streak entering week one of PacWest competition.
The Warriors hit the court twice on Saturday, taking on CCAA programs Chico State and Stanislaus State. Both matches needed four sets, as both saw the Warriors pick up the win.
Saturday's victory against Stanislaus State was one Jessup wanted, as their season began a week ago with a five-set loss against this same Stanislaus squad. In that matchup, Jessup won the first two sets before dropping the next three. That began the first of back-to-back five-set losses for Jessup. The Warriors got their first five-set victory yesterday against UC Merced.
It was a big day for senior
Madalyn Miller, as the outside hitter racked up 40 kills across the two matches. Miller totaled 18 in the morning match with Chico and then followed it up with a season-high 22 against Stanislaus. The 22-kill performance matched Miller's career-high, set in her freshman season against Life Pacific.
Miller wasn't the only one dominating at the net.
Taylor MacCuish also had a big day with 29 kills, 19 of which came against Chico.
Jessup dominated at the net in the morning matchup, posting ten blocks and 59 kills.
Paulina Harris and
Delaina Hunt each had four block assists to pair with a solo block as well.
The Warriors won the first two sets by two points in both, and then Chico stole the third with a 25-20 victory. The fourth set would be all Jessup as they rolled to a 25-14 victory to claim the match.
Jessup kept the consistency going in their second contest as 25-19 victories in the first two sets had the Warriors ahead 2-0 before a 25-22 win for Stanislaus forced the third. Stanislaus then pulled ahead to an 11-5 advantage in the fourth, bringing back memories of last week's reverse sweep. But there would be no repeat, as a 9-0 Jessup run gave them the lead, and they held on late to win 26-24.
The Warriors are now 4-3 on the season, with three of those wins coming against DII programs.
Next on the schedule is what Jessup fans have been waiting for, as the inaugural PacWest schedule in program history begins on September 21. The Warriors will open PacWest play at Azusa Pacific before visiting Menlo on September 25.
Jessup's first nine matches of the season are on the road, but they will finally make their home debut on September 26 when they host Fresno Pacific. Tickets for that match are on sale
HERE.
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Jessup University is a provisional member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II and the PacWest Conference. 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 (Instagram & X).
