KENNESAW, Ga. – The Jacksonville State volleyball team picked up its first win of the season on opening night with a 3-0 sweep of Savannah State inside the KSU Convocation Center to begin the Kennesaw State Invitational.

The first point of the season went to the Gamecocks by way of a kill from sophomore Allyson Zuhlke. The Gamecocks found a rhythm early taking a 10-3 lead before SSU called a timeout. JSU maintained its lead before a late 4-0 run with senior Samantha Bohne serving doubled up the Tigers, 24-12. JSU went on to win 25-14. Jax State's defense was key throughout the night, but especially in the opening set as they held the Tigers to a .038 hitting percentage.

The second set began tighter than the first. Tied at eight, a 5-1 run for JSU gave the Gamecocks an advantage they could hold on to for the remainder of the set. The lead expanded to nine, 20-11, before Jax State won 25-15 to take a 2-0 match lead. Senior Emily Rutherford collected three more kills in the second to lead the team with six after the first two stanzas.

After pulling away late in the first two frames, JSU surged out to a 15-3 advantage in what would become the final set. Freshman Mackenzie Rombach collected a team-best four kills to lead the way in the final frame.  JSU hit .526 in the final set to power to a 25-8 win to secure the first victory of the season.

Five true freshmen made their collegiate debuts Friday night for the Gamecocks. Rombach along with Kim Krutsinger were among the first six on the floor to start the match. Rombach finished with three blocks, six kills and a .556 attack percentage. Freshman Ashley Clingan came in during the second set followed by Mandee Eberle and Kira Hahn-Ventrell who entered in the third. Eberle picked up a pair of kills while Clingan had a service ace down the stretch.

Rutherford led all Gamecocks with eight kills followed by Charis Ludtke and Rombach with six each. Hannah Kirk grabbed 11 digs starting the season as the team's libero. Jennifer Hart picked up where she left off a year ago with another strong setting night dishing out 23 of JSU's 28 total assists.  

"I thought Jenn (Hart) set a nice game. She moved it around really well," said head coach Terry Gamble. "(Hannah) Kirk also did a really nice job for us handling serves received and digs. It really was a good job, which is what we expected."

"We have things to look at now and make improvements," added Gamble. "Tomorrow will be tougher, but if we play hard we'll be alright."

JSU returns to action early Saturday taking on Alabama State at 10 a.m. The Gamecocks wrap up their time in Kennesaw facing the host Owls of Kennesaw State that night. Live Stats are available for both games with the nightcap against the Owls also featuring video.