JACKSONVILLE – The opening day of the 2018 season went about as well as first-year head coach Todd Garvey could have hoped for as the Jacksonville State volleyball team dealt consecutive 3-0 sweeps to North Alabama and Lamar.
 
Playing host to the Jax State Invitational inside Kennamer Hall, the Gamecocks (2-0) avoided dropping any sets on day one of the two-day tournament. Jax State bested old foe North Alabama, following their move to Division I, with set scores of 25-20, 26-24, 26-24. JSU returned in the nightcap to down Lamar, 25-23, 25-15, 25-21.
 
The Gamecocks were pleased to welcome back redshirt-sophomore Sadie Anderson who missed last season due to injury. The Phoenix, Ariz., product led the way in her return with a team-high 12 kills and a .500 hitting clip against the Lions. Junior Kaylee Frear also reached double figures with 11 kills, while senior Mackenzie Rombach efficiently added nine kills on a .438 attack mark. The offense was guided by sophomore Lexie Libs who dished 39 assist in her Gamecock debut after transferring from East Tennessee State.
 
Sophomore Kaylie Milton recorded a 12 digs to lead the Gamecock back row in her debut as the team's libero.
 
JSU pulled away from a 15-15 tie in the first to take a 10-point set one win. The following two frames went a little deeper as JSU overcame a 22-21 late deficit in the second and fought-out set-point in the third down 24-23, before rallying for the sweep.
 
The script was reversed in night match as JSU hung on in the first set to beat Lamar 25-23, before pulling away in the following sets. JSU used an 8-1 run midway through the second to grab the lead for good with Kaylie Milton and Dani Steele at the service line. The Gamecocks combined to hit .385 in the third to finish off the Cardinals.
 
New faces came through in match two as redshirt-sophomore Addie Halverson matched Rombach with nine kills to lead the offense while freshman Lena Kindermann pitched in seven. On the defensive side, sophomore transfer Jade Humphrey tallied 8 digs.
 
JSU will battle the only other remaining unbeaten team in the field tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. when it takes on Arkansas-Little Rock. The Gamecocks will then close out the opening weekend hosting Mercer at 7 p.m.