JACKSONVILLE, Fla., - Under the relentless Florida sun at Jacksonville University, there is a distinct frequency of joy and gratitude that radiates through the Beach Volleyball program, often cutting through the high-stakes tension of Division I athletics.
This energy starts with twin sisters, Claire and Meredith Mrukowski, who brought a philosophy from their hometown of Powell, Ohio, that consistently prioritizes perspective over points.
In an era of college sports often defined by the grueling "grind" and time spent on the court, the Mrukowskis stand out by leading with a positivity that suggests their greatest wins aren't found on a stat sheet, but in the simple privilege of the game and of life itself.
While they originally used Beach Volleyball as a summer cross-training tool, they realized by their junior year of high school that they could compete with elite players who grew up in the sand year-round.
Meredith recalls, "realizing we could fit in with girls who grew up in the sand was a big part of the transition to the collegiate level.”
Jacksonville Beach Volleyball Head Coach, Dylan Hough, knew from the beginning that the Mrukowskis would fit in just fine as Dolphins.
“Both Claire and Meredith are incredible people,” said Hough. “They both have great (although different) leadership qualities that we knew would make them the perfect people for what we were trying to build here.”
The sisters recognized the rarity of finding a Division I program that allowed them to pursue their goals together. Even though they ended up playing together in their freshman season, and claimed three wins together, they were careful not to market themselves as a "package deal." Instead, they chose to trust that the "right school out there will find you if you stay consistent and put in the work,” said Claire. This patient approach allowed them to land in a place where they feel “deeply supported by the campus community, from the Christian athletes in their Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) circle to the professors and administrators who know them by name.”
Claire initially came to JU to play both indoor and Beach Volleyball because "it was just a fit that worked," while Meredith eventually pivoted to focus exclusively on the sand after her freshman year.
Their commitment to gratitude was put to its ultimate test when Meredith faced a staggering health hurdle: failing her entrance EKG. The failed EKG led to a diagnosis of Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. This heart condition required Meredith to wear a heart monitor for a period of time before eventually undergoing ablation surgery in March 2025. Instead of viewing her health as a setback, Meredith saw the diagnosis as an opportunity to channel the Mrukowski mentality into her everyday life.
"I want to love every moment, even if it's not what I wish was happening,” said Meredith. “It's about how you treat your team, your opponents, and the refs with joy.”
Meredith used this experience to express her gratitude for the sport and life even more by applying a heart on her shoulder with pink sunscreen before every match, a symbol she explains "represents loving the game.”
For Hough, “the pink hearts have become a secondary team logo.” His team wears “the pink hearts every weekend and it's become a way to get closer as a group and also have a little reminder when situations may seem tough or hard to keep pushing and to enjoy each moment.”
This journey became a powerful motivator for Claire, who realized that when her sister was physically unable to compete, she could "represent the both of them on the court". Instead of the situation adding pressure to her, Claire noted, "it motivated me in a good way". Her motivation didn’t go unnoticed. Hough added, “Claire is a big dog, man. She's a gamer and knows how to shine in big moments.”
While their bond was forged deeper in these challenges, the sisters remained fierce competitors. In their youth club days, they were frequently pitted against one another in tournament finals, a dynamic so intense, their parents found it nearly impossible to watch.
“In the moment, it was not awesome and fun,” said Claire, “But it has made us better.”
Today, that rivalry has evolved into a catalyst for a team culture they describe as "fun," "grateful," and "resilient". They view each other's individual successes as "inspiration to do better yourself and rise to the next level.”
The Jacksonville Beach Volleyball team is defined by a deep sense of community, where the girls function like a family. Despite the challenges of being a growing program within the league, the culture remains "resilient," with athletes consistently rising to meet the increasing standards of the ASUN conference, while remaining grateful for the opportunities presented to them.
The sisters have their sights set on breaking the team’s 16-win record this season. The Dolphins currently have 14 wins on the season after setting a program record of six-straight wins earlier this season. Claire and Meredith are also looking to reach personal milestones of 50 career wins, while priding themselves on the legacy that will transcend the jerseys.
Meredith hopes to be remembered for "playing with freedom" and recognizing that "who you are as a person is so much more than who you are as an athlete". Claire aims to be a "consistent leader" who leaves no stone unturned.
??When student-athletes enter the Jacksonville University Beach Volleyball locker room, Hough and his staff ask them to “leave the jersey in a better place than where you found it,” which is exactly what the Mrukowskis have done and continue to do. Hough believes, “two future Dolphins will surely choose to wear the number 22 or 23 because Meredith and Claire wore those numbers.”
By leading through every obstacle with joy, Claire and Meredith Mrukowski have turned their time at Jacksonville University into a lesson on staying grounded and demonstrating that the most powerful tool an athlete can possess is a "simple sense of gratitude.”