JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The 2008 season ended on a bit of a sour note for the FGCU Volleyball team, as Jacksonville University knocked off the Eagles, 25-18, 25-16, 21-25, 29-27. A day after sweeping North Florida at UNF Arena, the Eagles never looked comfortable at Swisher Gym. After losing the first two sets, FGCU rebounded to take the third, and had 2 set points in the fourth, but couldn't force a decisive fifth set. But thanks to their victory over UNF, FGCU had already wrapped up their second consecutive regular season conference championship.
The Dolphins got off to a quick start, opening up a 3-1 lead to start the match. They never looked back, taking the first set 25-18. Aidan Yeager and Sara Bendorf each recorded 4 kills in the set.
In the second set, it was much of the same. A 10-2 run put the Dolphins comfortably in control at 19-9, and they capped off the set with a Sara Bendorf kill to take the set, 25-16, and with it, a 2-0 lead in the match.
The Eagles came out on fire in the third set, opening up a 6-1 lead. Ana Kokanovic, Audrey Campbell, and Cheyenne Jenks each tallied 3 kills as the Eagles took the set, 25-21.
In the fourth set, FGCU started strong, opening up a 15-9 lead. JU came back with a 13-7 run to tie the set at 22 apiece. From that point, neither side was able to win consecutive points, until the Dolphins earned their first match point at 25-24. A kill by Ana Kokanovic followed by an ace from Ashley Yance gave the Eagles set point at 26-25. Jacksonville came back with a Sara Bendorf kill, and then an attack error from Audrey Campbell gave the Dolphins their second match point. A Kokanovic kill tied the set at 27-27, but a net violation against Roberta Santos followed by an ace from Sara Bendorf closed out the match for JU.
For the Dolphins, who improve to 19-9 on the year (14-6 in conference), Sara Bendorf recorded a double-double with 12 digs and 17 kills (0 errors, .472 hitting percentage) . Aidan Yeager also reached double-figures in kills with 13 to go along with 8 blocks. As a team the Dolphins recorded 17 total blocks.
Holly Youngquist led the defensive effort for FGCU with 15 digs. Senior Audrey Campbell, playing her final collegiate match, chipped in with 7 kills and 6 digs, and Cheyenne Jenks tallied 13 digs and 7 kills (.312 hitting percentage).
FGCU ends the season with a 20-8 overall record, and an 18-2 conference record, giving the Eagles their second consecutive regular season conference championship.
