UNF volleyball defeated the Jacksonville University Dolphins 3-2 in the River City Rumble on Sept. 25 at the UNF Arena. The game marked the Atlantic Sun Conference opener for both the Ospreys (12-3 overall, 1-0 A-Sun) and the Dolphins (3-10 overall, 0-1 A-Sun).

During all five sets, both teams would string together multiple offensive and defensive plays. With each rally, the large crowd that filled the arena could not be missed, especially when former Osprey outside hitter Kelly Koop, now with JU, served and missed hits.

There were 13 lead changes and 30 tie scores throughout the entire match. The Ospreys won the first (25-23), third (25-13) and fifth (15-12) sets over the Dolphins.

UNF volleyball head coach Steve Loeswick said the Dolphins brought an exciting matchup to the Ospreys.

“You know JU is a very good program and both teams battled to the very end,” Loeswick said. “It is always great to beat your rival.”

Loeswick said the UNF crowd bolstered the Ospreys’ victory.

“I hope they keep coming out to support us,” Loeswick said. “Without their energy that match might have went a different way.”

JU redshirt junior setter Jizzyan Gesualdo had a match-high 42 assists. UNF sophomore setter Carinne Turner had 27 assists while teammate sophomore outside hitter Courtney Miller added 17 kills.

Turner said the team’s chemistry came through in the end.

“We play really well, we struggled through a couple of the games but in the end we play really really well and I am very proud of it,” Turner said.

Miller credited the Dolphins’ defense throughout the match.

“They played really good defense so it gets frustrating but you have to keep aggressive and put every ball down,” Miller said.

Next the Ospreys will face the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in Daytona Beach, Florida on Sept. 29. The Ospreys have already defeated the Wildcats 3-0 once this season during the Courtyard Mayo Classic at the UNF Arena.

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