Box Score (PDF)

MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama volleyball defeated Florida A&M in four sets Friday in the Jaguar Invitational presented by Holiday Inn Express at Jag Gym.

USA (5-6) extended its home win streak to 15 games with the win, dating back to the 2020 season, to remain unbeaten at home under head coach Jesse Ortiz

UP NEXT
South Alabama will return to action Saturday when it hosts Eastern Kentucky at 11 a.m. at Jag Gym in the Jaguar Invitational presented by Holiday Inn Express to close its non-conference schedule.

Set 1
- After a back-and-forth opening set, Florida A&M went on a 3-0 scoring run to take a 19-16 lead. A kill by Lillie Simons cut the Jaguar deficit to 19-17, but the Rattlers then went on a 3-0 run, capped by a service ace from Jada Taylor, to take a 23-17 lead.
- FAMU earned set point at 24-18 on a block-assist from Kaila Todd and Irem Ucar, and clinched the set 25-18 on a kill by Dominique Washington.

Set 2
- FAMU tied the score 9-9 on a kill by Washington before a 3-0 Jaguar run that featured consecutive kills by Hannah Maddux gave South Alabama a 12-9 advantage.
- A second 3-0 USA run that included a kill by Maddux and solo block by Morgan Stalcup pushed the Jag lead to 15-10.
- An attack error by Simons cut the FAMU deficit to 15-12, but South Alabama responded with a 9-1 run, highlighted by three kills by Niki Capizzi and service ace from Paige Lynn to take a 24-13 lead after earning set point on a kill by Maddie Soboleski.
- USA clinched the set 25-17 on a kill by Soboleski to tie the match at one set apiece.

Set 3
- South Alabama held a one-point advantage at 4-3 following an attack error by Maddux, but went on a 3-0 run, aided by a Rattler service error and attack error, to take a 7-3 lead.
- A FAMU block cut the Jag lead to 18-14 later in the set, but USA responded with a 4-0 run, highlighted by a block-assist from Capizzi and Kailey Keeble, to take a 22-14 lead.
- The Jags earned set point at 24-17 on a kill by Capizzi, and clinched the set 25-18 on a FAMU service error for a 2-1 lead in the match.

Set 4
- USA faced a one-point deficit following a 3-0 Rattler run, but used a 4-1 run that featured a pair of kills by Simons to build a 9-7 lead.
- FAMU later cut its deficit to one point at 21-20 on a kill by Brooke Lynn Watts, but a block-assist by Stalcup and Simons gave the Jags a 22-20 lead.
- South Alabama earned match point at 24-22 on a kill by Keeble, and clinched the set 25-22 on a kill by Maddux for a 3-1 victory.

NOTES
- Keeble recorded her ninth double-double of the season with a game-high 41 assists and 19 digs, along with one kill and two blocks. It marked her 28th career double-double, which ranks third all-time at South Alabama.
- Maddux finished with a season-high 22 kills, a .311 hitting percentage, one dig and two blocks. It marked her first 20-plus kill match of the season.
- Soboleski added 13 kills, two service aces, five digs and one block.
- Rachel Hickey finished with 14 digs and five assists, and Lynn added nine digs and one service ace.
- The Jaguars recorded 11 total team blocks, marking the second straight match they have posted double figures in blocks.

QUOTES
Head Coach Jesse Ortiz
- On the win:
"I didn't think we played bad in that first set, I thought Florida A&M played very well. We had a few plays that we weren't as crisp on, but that's a formidable team with a lot of arm speed and athleticism. They're going to be very good in their conference. I'm glad we got the win tonight for sure."

- On Hannah Maddux's performance:
"Superhuman – that's a lot of kills from one arm. Hannah's been great ever since I've been here. She's a high flyer who plays on both pins. She has a whole arsenal; her ball-handling is getting better. There are very few players in the country that are like Hannah, so she's pretty special."

- On tomorrow's match against Eastern Kentucky:
"We're looking for the same thing, just consistency, playing as hard as we can and establishing a rhythm early in our serve receive, which I thought we've done so far this weekend, and have a lot of fun. Volleyball is a great game and you want to win of course, but it's a kid's game and this is awesome. It's a blessing and we're going to have a blast tomorrow no matter what, and hopefully we come out ahead."

Outside Hitter Hannah Maddux
- On her performance:
"Just being able to see the court, I saw that they (FAMU) weren't double-blocking me the first two sets but they learned by the third set to do that. Once I saw double blocks, I knew I could pretty much just swing away and I had some good confidence instilled in me by my teammates. And (Kailey) Keeble was just lining the ball up for me perfect every time. It's pretty easy when I have perfect situations like that."

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