MOBILE, Ala. - South Alabama (13-3, 4-0) is set to host Arkansas State (11-5, 1-3) Friday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m., and Saturday, Oct 7 at 1 p.m.

South Alabama enters the series off a pair of wins at ULM, leaving them as one of four remaining undefeated teams left in conference play and atop the Sun Belt West standings.

Arkansas State enjoyed a strong early season performance, going 10-2 in their non-conference slate before splitting a series at Georgia Southern and losing two games against Louisiana. Since conference play began, the Red Wolves have struggled defensively, ranking last in opponent hitting percentage and blocks. ASU's hitting percentage has also fallen off, ranking only better than ULM. For production, Arkansas State looks to Freshman Kaitlin Whitlock, who ranks 10th in kills/set in the Sun belt during conference play with 3.57. Setter Erin Madigan ranks second in the conference and 27th nationally with 10.48 assists/set.

OPPONENT INFO
Arkansas State enters the weekend 1-3 in conference play, most recently losing to Louisiana in back to back matches. The Red Wolves do not currently have any common opponents with the Jaguars. ASU boasts a 32-9 record over South since their first meeting in 1982, and are 30-8 as conference opponents. South Alabama is on a four game win streak vs ASU dating back to the 2018 conference tournament, including two wins last season. The last time Arkansas State played in Jaguar Gym was a 3-1 loss in 2019.

TEAM INFO
- South Alabama sits atop the conference in blocks/set, at 2.71 in conference games, and is led by Lillie Simons and Niki Capizzi.
- USA's stifling .154 opp hitting percentage is second in the conference and 19th nationally.
- Niki Capizzi is currently sixth in the conference in hitting percentage, with .323.
- Maddie Soboleski and Hannah Maddux are a powerhouse duo, with Maddux currently third (3.74) in kills/set, and Soboleski sitting at sixth (3.67).
- Hannah Maddux has passed her career high service aces in a season (21) and currently leads the Sun Belt with 34 and averages .59 aces/set, and .86 aces/set in conference play.
- Capizzi is third in the SBC in blocks/set with 1.19. She has 69 total on the season.

UP NEXT
USA returns to Jag Gym to host the Red Wolves of Arkansas State on Oct. 6, at 6 p.m., then Oct. 7, at 1 p.m.

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