SIOUX CITY, IA (NewsDakota.com)  Starting defense of their national title, the Jimmies looked sharp against an upset-minded St. Th0mas, FL team.

The Jimmies rallied late in the first, took a commanding lead in the second and held on, and erased a four-point deficit mid-third to sweep the Bobcats 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-22) at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, IA Thursday night.

UJ was playing in an elimination match after the Bobcats upset the pool’s top seed Corban, OR the night previous.  A loss to St. Thomas would have ended the Jimmies season, making Friday’s pool matchup with Corban meaningless.

Aleah Zieske led the effort for the Jimmies with 17 kills, while the Jimmie block was opportunistic all night.  Darienne Johnson, Lexi Olson, and Charlee Krieg combined for 21 kills and 11 blocks on the night.

Ellie Holen, the GPAC co-Defender of the Year, dug 23 balls and was complimented nicely by Grace Hegerle, who added 17 digs.

The Jimmies are now 25-9, and face Corban, OR Friday to end pool play.  A UJ win would move the Jimmies to the quarterfinals of bracket play Saturday.