JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jax State concluded Jacksonville's Dolphin Volleyball Classic and their 2025 non-conference slate with a 3-0 loss to West Virginia Saturday.
The Gamecocks lost 25-21, 25-20, 25-21 to the Mountaineers. The Red-and-White had 35 kills, 32 assists, 28 digs, and five blocks against the Big 12 foe.
Kayla Williams led Jax State with 10 kills,
Sanni Rantanen had eight kills, and
Amaya Tolentino had seven kills.
On defense,
Luci Wilkinson had a team-high eight digs.
Morgan Blazzard followed with six, while
Charlee Solomon had five.
Keyauna Linwood had a team-best three total blocks, while Tolentino followed with two blocks. Solomon led the team in assists with 30.
All three sets were competitive, including the first. Early on West Virginia jumped in front 14-11 to force a Gamecock timeout. The Mountaineers never let the Gamecocks get closer than three points as they took the first set 25-21.
In the second, the teams went back-and-forth until a 3-0 run by West Virginia put them up 12-9. Later in the set, West Virginia went on another 3-0 run to gain an 18-14 advantage and force a Jax State timeout. West Virginia clinched the second set 25-20.
The third set saw the Gamecocks continue to battle, including a 4-0 run early on, that put them up 11-8 and force a West Virginia timeout. Around the midway point of the third, Jax State led 16-13. However, the Mountaineers scored four straight to jump ahead 17-16. With the Mountaineers up 20-18 and 23-20 late in the set, Jax State used their two timeouts in hopes to rally. West Virginia eventually took the set and match with a 25-21 third set final.
Jax State (6-6) will move on to conference play next Friday, Sep. 26, and Saturday, Sep. 27, at Preseason CUSA favorite Western Kentucky.
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