ROCKLIN, Calif. – The NCCAA's top-ranked team returned to their home floor on Tuesday, kicking off Simpson week on the inaugural schedule. Quick work was made of the visiting Red Hawks, as Jessup grabbed all three sets in just 64 minutes, giving their fans, and the Red Hawks, an early exit.
Jessup is now 7-5 in their inaugural campaign. They sit 2-1 in home matches, with Tuesday being the third of five scheduled matches inside Warrior Arena this year.
It was a collective effort all around for the Warriors, who hit .305 as a team.
Jan Lopuch led the offense with eight kills, followed by
Owen Henning, who added six.
Carter Depue concluded the night with five kills.
Defensively, the Warriors saw three players finish with five digs: Lopuch,
Logan Marks, and
Taylor Marks.
Jessup took the opening set, 25-10, with a 9-1 run at the midway point, setting up the large gap in scoring. The Warriors kept their foot on the gas throughout, as a 9-2 run capped off the set, placing Jessup on top to start the night.
Simpson responded in the second set with consistent play in the early part, eventually taking an 11-10 lead. But that seemed to wake up the Warriors, who countered with a 12-2 run, eventually claiming the set 25-14.
A 5-1 run would end the third, as a 25-16 final concluded the match.
The win is Jessup's second of the season against the Red Hawks, as the second match in program history saw the Warriors take down Simpson in four sets.
Jessup will see Simpson again on Sunday as the Warriors head to Rocklin for a 6 p.m. match. Simpson will make another visit to Rocklin on April 2 for the final home match of the season. Jessup will also host Pacific Union on March 20.
***
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).
