MIAMI SHORES, FL – The University of Jamestown men's volleyball team closed out its Florida road trip Sunday afternoon with a competitive four-set battle against Warner University at the Health and Sports Center. The Jimmies struck first with a dominant opening frame before Warner rallied to take the match 3-1 (25-14, 21-25, 22-25, 22-25).
Jamestown wasted no time setting the tone early. The Jimmies delivered one of their most efficient sets of the weekend in the opener, hitting a blistering .625 with 15 kills and no attack errors. Lucas Soeldner led the charge offensively, connecting consistently off sharp distribution from Rowan Shaughnessy. Jamestown controlled the tempo from the service line and at the net, finishing the set with multiple blocks, including a key late stop from Chase Hawkinson and Ethan Carroll to seal the 25-14 victory.
Warner responded in the second set, but the Jimmies continued to battle point-for-point. Jamestown recorded seven kills in the set and stayed within striking distance throughout before Warner edged ahead late. The third set featured one of the tightest stretches of the match, with the teams trading runs and combining for seven ties. Soeldner remained steady on the outside, while Ladarius Williams and Hawkinson added timely swings to keep the pressure on. Jamestown fought off multiple surges and stayed within two points before the set closed at 25-22.
The fourth set saw another determined push from the Jimmies. Jamestown built momentum behind aggressive serving and defensive discipline, forcing key Warner errors and staying even through several lead changes. Kaden Jenkins stepped in to provide a spark, finishing with 19 assists and helping facilitate a balanced attack down the stretch. Jamestown once again brought the score within two late in the frame before Warner narrowly secured the match at 25-22.
For the contest, the Jimmies totaled 48 kills on a .279 hitting percentage. Soeldner led all Jamestown hitters with 14 kills on .448 efficiency, while Hawkinson added 11 kills and two block assists. Williams contributed 10 kills and two service aces, and Carroll anchored the front row with four block assists. Shaughnessy dished out 25 assists, helping Jamestown maintain offensive rhythm throughout the afternoon. Defensively, Treyton Kaul paced the back row with nine digs as the Jimmies finished with six total team blocks.
Despite the final result, Jamestown showcased resilience and composure across the final three sets, battling through 25 ties and seven lead changes over the course of the match. The strong opening-set performance and competitive late-set pushes highlight the growth and rhythm the Jimmies continue to build as they move forward in the season.
The Jimmies are set to return to their home court on February 28th for a match up against Central Christian College.
