STATESBORO, Ga. – The Jacksonville State volleyball team broke through for its first win of the 2016 season after spliting the opening day of Georgia Southern's "Bash in the Boro" Tournament.

The Gamecocks (1-4) had a tough time with a 3-0 (10-25, 16-25, 25-27) setback in the morning game against GSU, before turning things around in the nightcap to pull off a sweep of their own (25-22, 25-18, 25-19) against The Citadel.

Finally playing on their home court and not against nationally-ranked competition for the first time this season, Georgia Southern had its way early against the Gamecocks hitting .409 in the opening set to power on to a 25-10 set win. JSU made adjustments in begin the second, but a 7-0 run for GSU broke an 11-11 tie and positioned the home team to go up two sets to none.

In the third, GSU had again built a strong lead with a 17-11 advantage, but JSU rallied back to tie the frame at 20-20. Junior Charis Ludtke's kill pushed the Gamecocks in front by one, however, Southern would not be denied taking five of the final six points to seal the match in a 27-25 set.

Freshman Abby Farr made her collegiate debut for Jax State against GSU, finishing with a trio of kills. She became the eighth newcomer to make their JSU volleyball debut during the first four matches.

The nightcap proved to be a better matchup for JSU as the faced the Bulldogs of The Citadel (3-2) who had swept Savannah State earlier in the day.

Jax State grabbed an early 7-3 advantage over the Bulldogs, but The Citadel bounced back tying things up at 13-13. Junior Allyson Zuhlke recorded seven kills on 10 swings in the opening frame alone for a .700 attack percentage to help boost JSU's overall .353 mark in the first. The Tomball, Texas, native put away the final two kills to secure JSU's 25-22 set victory.

The explosive offense continued in the second set as JSU jumped out to a 4-0 lead and never trailed en route to a 25-18 set win.
The third set was back-and-forth to start, until JSU climbed out to an 11-8 advantage. With the score later evened at 17-17, freshman Kaylee Frear put an end to a long rally which propelled JSU ahead for good. The Gamecocks completed the sweep taking the third, 25-19. 

Junior Jennifer Hart led the way against the Bulldogs with team highs in both assists (24) and digs (14) for the only double-double by a Gamecock. The defense was aided up front thanks to six blocks from sophomore Mackenzie Rombach and four more from Zuhlke, Ludtke and Frear, each. 

"It's nice to get the first win of the season," said third-year JSU head coach Terry Gamble postgame. "I know the girls are relieved to get the first one."

"We are still working out new lineups, losing Kim Krutsinger to injury this season is a big setback because of her importance. That means now another freshman is in the starting lineup."

JSU returns for day two of the "Bash in the Boro" tomorrow with an 11 a.m. (ET) match against Charleston Southern, before taking on Savannah State later in the afternoon. Live stats for both matches are available at JSUGamecockSports.com.