ELGIN, Ill. – A better start to the inaugural NCCAA Men's Volleyball Championship could not have been scripted by head coach
Kyle Steele and the Warriors. With two wins on Friday, Jessup sits in prime positioning to secure a spot in Saturday's National Championship match.
The Warriors claimed victories over Roberts Wesleyan and Judson on Friday to start 2-0 in pool play. The top two teams from pool play will play for the championship tomorrow afternoon.
With the two victories, Jessup now sits 13-9 in their inaugural campaign.
The first set of the day did not go the way of the Warriors as Roberts Wesleyan grabbed a 25-21 win. But Jessup settled down, claiming the next six sets on the day as a 3-1 win against RWU, which was followed by a sweep of the hosting Judson.
Jan Lopuch was the offensive difference maker in the first win as he totaled 18 kills against the Redhawks. Lopuch hit .531 in the victory and added three digs to his totals.
Carter Depue finished behind Lopuch with ten kills in the opener.
Taylor Marks set up the offense with 36 assists, and his brother
Logan Marks led with 13 digs.
After Jessup dropped the first set, they managed to hold the Redhawks under 20 points in the next three. A 25-19 win was followed by a 25-16 victory in the third. The match was secured with a 25-19 win in the fourth.
The match with Judson saw Jessup begin with a 25-19 win in the first set, followed by a 25-22 win in the second. Set three went to the Warriors, 25-21.
Lopuch again finished with 18 kills in the win, hitting .654 this time around. Depue added eight kills, while Marks finished with 38 assists.
Jessup will wrap up pool play tomorrow with a morning match against Oakland City. The contest is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. (PST). The National Championship match is scheduled for 3 p.m. tomorrow.
***
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).
