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MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama volleyball defeated Eastern Kentucky in straight sets Saturday at Jag Gym to win the Jaguar Invitational presented by Holiday Inn Express.

USA (6-6) extended its home win streak to 16 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 Fri., Sept. 23, when it opens Sun Belt Conference play against Southern Miss at 6 p.m. in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Set 1
- EKU took a 6-5 lead on a kill by Molly Michalak, but a 4-1 Jaguar scoring run that included a block-assist by Niki Capizzi and Kailey Keeble gave USA a 9-7 lead.
- South Alabama later used a 5-0 run, highlighted by three consecutive kills by Hannah Maddux, to take a 23-15 lead.
- The Jags earned set point at 24-16 on a kill by Maddux, and clinched the set 25-17 on a kill by Maddux.

Set 2
- USA broke a 3-3 tie with a 6-0 run that featured a solo block by Carissa Bradford, and kills by Maddux and Lillie Simons to take a 9-3 lead.
- South Alabama then went on a 5-0 run, which included a pair of kills and a solo block by Bradford, to build a 14-5 advantage.
- The Jags pushed their lead to 19-8 with a 4-0 run that featured a solo block by Maddux.
- USA earned set point at 24-15 on a kill by Maddux, and clinched the set 25-15 on a kill by Morgan Stalcup. 

Set 3
- South Alabama held a one-point lead at 6-5 before going on a 4-0 run, highlighted by solo block by Capizzi and service ace from Paige Lynn, to double its lead at 10-5.
- EKU cut its deficit to 19-16 on a block, but the Jags responded with 5-0 run that featured a block-assist by Bradford and Capizzi and consecutive kills from Bradford to earn match point at 24-16. 
- South Alabama clinched the set 25-19 on a kill by Capizzi to sweep the match 3-0.

NOTES
- Maddux finished with a game-high 18 kills, a .282 hitting percentage and three blocks.
- Bradford recorded a season-high nine kills, three digs and three blocks.
- Kailey Keeble posted a game-high 37 assists, in addition to three kills, two service aces, four digs and two blocks.
- Rachel Hickey finished with a game-high 15 digs, two assists and one service ace, and Lynn added 10 digs, one kill, one service ace and one assist.
- The Jags recorded nine blocks in three sets, led by Capizzi's four.
- South Alabama posted a .339 team hitting percentage, which marked a season high. 

QUOTES
Head Coach Jesse Ortiz
- On the win:
"I thought we were in control throughout the whole match. We were very consistent and played at a very high level. I thought the defense was great; those guys were scrambling around and taking on good hits. We were very methodical and all business. I was really proud of my group."

- On Hannah Maddux's performance:
"It must be nice being a super human. She jumps high, hits hard and is very physical. She was obviously a handful more than what they (EKU) could handle. I thought EKU was a well-coached group, and we like their systems and what they did. Hannah's athleticism outclassed them on that antennae for sure."

- On closing the non-conference schedule:
"We're pretty fired up to start our conference schedule. In non-conference you get to mix it up and see some different faces, but we're the reigning champs and we want to make sure we go and establish the fact that we're still all business and ready for it. I know I'm fired up, and I know the girls are as well."

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