Box Score

CONWAY, S.C. – Coastal Carolina defeated the University of South Alabama volleyball team in straight sets (25-17, 25-18, 25-11) in the Sun Belt Conference regular-season finale Sunday at HTC Center.

CCU (24-4, 15-1 SBC) hit .307 as a team and was led by Natasa Savovic and Leah Hardeman, who finished with a game-high 16 kills apiece. Hardeman finished with a .519 hitting percentage and also recorded 20 digs to post the game's lone double-double.

Mechell Daniel finished with seven kills, one assist, 11 digs and one block assist to lead South Alabama (16-13, 7-9 SBC). Iva Durdanovic recorded five kills, one service ace, six digs and three total blocks. 

CCU opened the match with a 25-17 win in set one, and took a 2-0 lead following a 25-18 win in the second set. Hardeman and Savovic each recorded six kills in the opening set to lead a CCU attack that posted 19 kills in set one, while Daniel led South Alabama with three kills.

Savovic added six more kills in the second set, while Hardeman finished with five as part of a Chanticleer attack that posted 18 kills in set two. The Chanticleers, who claimed the SBC East Division title earlier this season, sealed the match with a 25-11 win in set three in which they posted a .467 team hitting percentage. 

"The effort was there in the first two sets, but our execution wasn't efficient enough to sustain many runs," USA head coach Amy Hendrichovsky said. "With that we allowed them (Coastal Carolina) to get on runs which ultimately decided those two sets. We will focus on what we control and respond for the upcoming tournament. We start a new season on Friday."

South Alabama closed the regular season with 16 wins, the most since 1994 when it finished with 17 victories. USA will return to action Fri., Nov. 18, when it opens play in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).