Thursday, November 20, 2008

MACON, Ga. - Jacksonville swept Campbell (25-21, 25-9, 26-24) to open the 2008 Atlantic Sun Volleyball Championship at Mercer’s University Center. The Dolphins advance to semifinal match to face second-seeded Belmont, Thursday at 5:00 p.m.

Jacksonville's senior outside hitter Sara Bendorf led the match with 14 kills. Bendorf's teammate, Defensive Player of the Year Shelley Walroth racked up 22 digs bringing her to a career total 1,848. Campbell's All-Freshman selection Hope Leatigaga set a match-high with 24 assists.

In the first set, the Camels and Dolphins kept it even through the first 10 points. Jacksonville pulled ahead to lead the set by five points, but JU's rally came to a halt when set up Emily Werner for a kill to bring the set to 14-10. Jacksonville continued to lead through the end, and a service error by Campbell opened the door for Bendorf to rack the last kill of the set.

During the second frame, Campbell's biggest lead came in the beginning of the set at 5-3, but Jacksonville used a service ace by Hannah Munneke to pull ahead 6-5. The Dolphins' offense continued to dominate as Bendorf led the Dolphins with six kills. Leatigaga led the Camels with five assists.

The final set started as a back-and-forth set as Campbell came out from the break energized. The Camels stayed within one point of the Dolphins until a block by Bendorf and Abby Gruenbacher to put the Dolphins up 14-12. Jacksonville kept Campbell on its toes by pulling ahead 19-15, but the Camels answerd by tying it up off an attack error on Jacksonville. They kept their rally going to tie the set 24-24. The Camels could not keep their luck up as they made two attacking errors for Jacksonville to take the match.