H. AUSTILL PHARR GYMNASIUM | MOBILE, Ala. - History was made on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 16 in Pharr Gymnasium as the University of Mobile Volleyball team came away with a dominating sweep over Stillman College (Ala.), handing head coach Jon Campbell his 600th-career win in the process. With previous stops at North Greenville College (S.C.) and the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.), formerly known as Cumberland College, the vast majority of Campbell's wins have come at the University of Mobile since arriving to UM and starting the volleyball program in 2005. The 19th-year head coach at Mobile has won a total of 473 matches at UM alone.
The Rams of Mobile defeated Stillman College in straight sets for Campbell's 600th, cruising past the Tigers with scores sitting at 25-7, 25-16, and 25-17. Mobile moves to 2-1 in conference play this year, with the overall recording advancing to 9-4.Â
Match Recap: Career Win 600 Sees Every Ram Earn Playing Time
In Saturday's match, it was all Mobile at first whistle. The Rams opened the match in front of a large crowd with a 7-1 run, with set one getting out of hand quickly. Mobile eventually cruised to a 25-7 victory in the first set, with Dazsha Dean leading the Mobile offense with four kills. Dean earned her first start of the season on Saturday, starting for senior Brinkley Hearn who was unavailable throughout the match.Â
In the second set, Jon Campbell began emptying his bench and playing reserves with confidence oozing on the Mobile side. Only three starters appeared sporadically throughout set two, with Jordan Wood putting together a huge set offensively. Out of the Rams' nine total kills throughout the second set, Wood was responsible for five of those, all coming towards the end of the set where Mobile went on to win, 25-16. Wood eventually ended the afternoon tied with teammate Corrina Porch-Maxey with a match-high eight kills. Both Wood and Porch-Maxey hit .538 throughout the win.Â
In the third set, Campbell once again played numerous reserves from off the bench as several players made their collegiate debuts. The Rams eventually came away with a 25-17 third set win to sweep the Stillman Tigers as Campbell picked up win number 600. In the process, a total of 28 of the 29 players on this year's roster touched the floor for at least one rally in Saturday's match.Â
As a team, the Rams finished with a .270 hitting percentage and 36 total kills. With Wood and Porch-Maxey leading the team offensively, Lexi Gillette led Mobile with 13 defensive digs and four service aces. Both Tatum Beech and Layton Adams shared the team lead with 11 assists a piece in the win.Â
Jon Campbell Celebrated
Following the impressive victory, Jon Campbell received a well-deserved standing ovation from the fans and his team for the milestone win, while being presented a game ball from wife and assistant coach Amber Campbell and University of Mobile Athletic Director Sally Shouppe. University of Mobile President Dr. Lonnie Burnett was also in attendance to celebrate Campbell's accomplishment.Â
"Six hundred is just another number," Campbell said with a smile after the win. "I have been blessed to be able to work beside my wife Amber for many of these wins. I'm truly humbled thinking of all the players we have had an impact on through the years." The amount of positive relationships the Campbells have made throughout coaching is numerous, but both coaches will tell you that life is about relationships and not always about volleyball. "I'm proud of all the hard work in the classroom and on the court that past and current players have put in," Campbell said. "The most rewarding part is seeing their growth spiritually, academically, athletically, and then well into life outside of UM."
Next on the Schedule
Mobile will return to action next weekend with two road conference matches, beginning on Friday, Sept. 22 at 6:00 p.m. CT. The Rams will face SSAC newcomer UT-Southern (Tenn.) in Pulaski, Tenn. on Friday, while facing reigning conference champion Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1:00 p.m. CT the following day in Blue Mountain, Miss.
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For complete coverage of University of Mobile Athletics, follow the Rams on social media at /MobileRams (Facebook), @UMobileRams (Twitter), and @umobilerams (Instagram), or visit the official home of the University of Mobile Athletic Department at https://umobilerams.com/.Â
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About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
