Gamecocks Beaten 3-0 by Jacksonville in 2026 Opener

Friday, August 28

JACKSONVILLE

7 PM

Jax State

0-1,0-0CUSA

Jacksonville

2-0,0-0ASUN

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Jacksonville	25	25	25	3
Jacksonville St.	23	15	13	0

Photo by: Luke Mallette/Jax State

8/28/2026 9:54:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE – The Jax State Gamecocks fell 3-0 in their opening match of the season to Jacksonville University in the third match of the 2026 Gamecock Classic.

The Gamecocks began the match hot jumping out in front of the Dolphins 15-10 in the first set. Following the media break, Jacksonville responded with two quick scores to cut the Gamecocks' lead to 15-12. Chloe Mittelstadt drilled a kill to extend the Gamecocks' lead to 17-12. Later, Jacksonville scored three unanswered to get back within two.

Claire Evans put down a kill to put the Gamecocks ahead 20-18, then the Dolphins rode a 5-0 run to take the lead 23-20 late in the opening set. Trailing 24-21, the Gamecocks scored two-straight to get it within one, 24-23. Jacksonville's Haley Yount ended the first set with a kill to put the Dolphins up 1-0 early.

The Dolphins cruised past the Gamecocks in the second and third sets, winning the second set 25-15 and the third 25-13.

Azavia Thomas and Evans matched one another for a team-best eight kills against JU. Mittelstadt had a team-high .375 hit percentage. Starting setter Sofia Varela led Jax State with 17 assists, while Addison Stone added 10 assists, respectively. Evans led the Gamecocks with five digs, followed by Gemma Morris who added four.

Abbie Tuyo led Jacksonville with 12 kills, while Emersen Strain had a team-best 20 assists.

The Gamecocks return to action on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. against the Southern Jaguars, then they take on the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at 5:30 p.m. to conclude the 2026 Gamecock Classic.

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