MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama volleyball returns four letterwinners and welcomes one newcomer at Libero/defensive specialist for the 2022 season. The Jaguars open the 2022 campaign Fri., Aug. 26, at 9 a.m. (CT) against Ball State in Tampa, Fla. 

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (4)
- Rachel Hickey (5-4, Sr.) – Appeared in all 32 matches in 2021 ... Ranked third in the SBC in digs (524), and fourth in digs per set (4.52) ... Ranked third in the league in service aces (20) in league contests, fifth in digs per set (4.45), tied for fifth in service aces per set (0.36) and sixth in total digs (249) ... Also recorded four kills, 90 assists and 31 total service aces.

- Juanita Monteiro-Pai (5-8, So.) – Appeared in 14 matches last season … Recorded six service aces, one assist and six digs in 35 sets played ... Tied her career high in service aces (3) at Georgia Southern (Oct. 16).
 
- Paige Lynn (5-3, R-So.) – Appeared in all 32 matches with five starts in 2021 ... Recorded 229 digs, 31 service aces, three kills and 21 assists ... Recorded 10 or more digs in seven matches, including three straight from Sept. 3-10 ... Posted a season-high 13 digs against Georgia Southern (Oct. 16) ... Tied her career high in service aces (3) in four matches:  Charleston Southern (Aug. 27), Texas State (Sept. 25), Georgia State (Oct. 15) and Troy (Nov. 6) ... Finished with a .972 reception percentage on the season.

- Madisen Werdell (5-7, Jr.) – Appeared in 31 matches with 23 starts last season ... Recorded 160 digs, one block-assist, 10 assists and 22 service aces ... Posted three matches with 10 or more digs, including a career-high 15 at Georgia State (Nov. 12) ... Finished with a career-high five service aces against Troy (Nov. 6) ... Tallied a .943 reception percentage on the season. 

NEWCOMERS (1)
- Briana Wilson (5-4, Fr.) – Lettered in volleyball at Thompson HS in Alabaster, Ala. ... Helped the Warriors to consecutive state Final Four appearances in 2020-21 ... THS reached the Elite 8 in the state playoffs her sophomore season.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
- Hickey was named the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Libero of the Year.
- Hickey's 4.52 digs-per-set average is the best in a single season by a Jaguar in the program's history. She owns the career record for digs per set at South Alabama with 4.47 following the 2021 season.
- Wilson was named Class 7A first-team all-state as a sophomore and junior at THS. She earned Super All-State honors by AL.com as a senior, and was named second-team all-state as a freshman in 2018.
- Hickey has played in 54 consecutive matches, dating back to the 2020 season, entering the year. She appeared in all 32 last season, as well as all 22 during the 2020 Covid season.
- South Alabama led the SBC in service aces per set (1.71) in 2021, and ranked fifth in the league in digs per set (15.93).

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