Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama volleyball defeated ULM in four sets Saturday in Sun Belt Conference action at Jag Gym.

South Alabama (9-7, 3-1 SBC) recorded a season-high 15 service aces, the most since 2009, and posted a .331 team hitting percentage. Outside hitter Hannah Maddux finished with a game-high 24 kills along with a .420 hitting percentage. The victory marked the Jaguars' 18th straight home win dating back to 2020.

UP NEXT
South Alabama will return to action Thu., Oct. 6, when it faces Arkansas State at 6 p.m. in Jonesboro, Ark.

GAME SUMMARY
Set 1
- ULM jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but South Alabama used a 6-0 scoring run, which featured a pair of service aces by Niki Capizzi, to take a 6-2 lead.
- A service error by Capizzi cut the Jaguar lead in half at 6-3 before USA went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a service ace by Kailey Keeble and solo block by Morgan Stalcup, to build a 12-3 lead.
- The Jags went on another 6-0 run that included three service aces and solo block by Maddux for an 18-5 advantage.
- A 3-0 run that featured a service ace by Rachel Hickey extended the Jag lead to 21-6.
- The Jags closed the set with a 3-0 run, earning set point at 24-9 on a kill by Maddux and clinching the set 25-9 on a second straight kill by Maddux for a 1-0 lead in the match.

Set 2
- ULM cut its deficit to one point at 11-10 on a kill by Madeline Williams, but USA responded with a 3-0 run that featured a block-assist by Stalcup and Lillie Simons, and a service ace by Anna Loberg for a 14-10 lead.
- USA later earned set point at 24-19 on a kill by Simons, and clinched the set 25-20 on a kill by Simons for a 2-0 lead.

Set 3
- South Alabama faced a 10-8 deficit before going on a 4-0 run, highlighted by a service ace by Madisen Werdell, to take a 12-10 lead.
- ULM went on a 3-0 run to take a 19-17 lead, but a Warhawk service error and kill by Carissa Bradford tied the score 19-19.
- A kill by Williams gave ULM set point at 24-23, but a kill by Maddux tied the score 24-24.
- ULM earned set point at 25-24 on a kill by Williams, and clinched the set 26-24 on a service ace by Taylor Thomas.

Set 4
- USA opened the set with a 6-0 run, highlighted by three kills by Maddux and two service aces from Werdell.
- The Jags used a 4-0 run, aided by a pair of Warhawk attack errors and a service error, to take an 11-2 lead.
- South Alabama closed the set with a 7-0 run, which included solo blocks by Keeble and Stalcup, and earned match point at 24-7 on a ULM attack error and clinched the set 25-7 on a kill by Maddux.

NOTES
- The Jags' 15 service aces were the most since Sept. 19, 2009, when South Alabama recorded 15 aces against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which is tied for the second-most in a single match in program history.
- Maddux posted double-digit kill totals for the seventh consecutive match, finishing with 24 along with three service aces, five digs and one block.
- Hickey recorded a season-high 25 digs, and also added four assists and two service aces.
- Stalcup added nine kills, a .421 hitting percentage, six blocks and two digs.
- The win marked the Jaguars' seventh straight against ULM.

QUOTES
Head Coach Jesse Ortiz
- On the win:
"(Madeline) Williams is great, so we had to make sure we were all around her. Our middles went wherever she went. Good serving helped us out today, and just establishing a rhythm on serve receive. Hannah Maddux averaging six kills per set is not too bad either."

- On next weekend's matchup with Arkansas State:
"Every part of the season is a learning process; you have to keep trying to get better and better. We had a long time away from home (earlier in the season), and I think it helped us prep a little more for that. Understanding it (Arkansas State) is hostile territory, we just have to play our best ball and match up the intensity in someone else's gym. I'm excited for it."

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