VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. --- The Virginia Wesleyan University women's volleyball team (32-2, 11-0 ODAC) defeated John Jay 3-0, winning 25-15, 25-14, and 25-16.

Brianna Clay led the team with nine kills, a .727 hitting percentage, one service ace, two digs, and one block assist. Hannah Smith had eight kills, one service ace, and eight digs, and teammate Breana Brooks had six kills, four block assists, and two digs.

The Marlins started well to begin the NCAA Women's Volleyball National Tournament, as they built a 3-0 lead early in the set. The Bloodhounds fought back and went on a 3-1 run to bring the score to 4-3, but the Marlins responded with a 4-0 run to lead 8-3. The Marlins continued to put on the pressure and held an 18-7 lead, but John Jay responded with a 3-1 run to cut the VWU lead to 20-11. The Bloodhounds continued their surge and brought the score to 25-15, but Virginia Wesleyan went on to win the set 25-15.
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Virginia Wesleyan carried its momentum into the second set as they built a 10-3 lead early. The two teams battled back and forth with the Marlins holding a 20-11 lead late in the set, and went on a 3-0 run to lead 23-11, but the Bloodhounds responded with a 3-0 run. However, VWU went on to win the set 25-14.

John Jay fought back in the third set, as they held an early 3-2 lead. The Marlins rallied with a 5-1 run to take a 6-3 lead, but the Bloodhounds responded with a 4-1 run to tie the set at 7-7. Virginia Wesleyan countered with a 9-3 run to hold a 16-10 lead, but John Jay went on a 3-1 run to bring the score to 17-13. The Marlins outscored the visitors 8-3 the rest of the set to win set three 25-16.

The Marlins will face Berry tomorrow for the round of 32, with a match time set for 7:00 PM.