CONWAY, S.C. - South Alabama (19-7,10-4) hands Coastal Carolina (18-8,13-1) their first conference loss of the season. The Jaguars have now beaten two unbeaten teams in conference play this season.
The first set was an even affair throughout, with Coastal creating a 17-13 lead until a Jaguar run made up of solo blocks by
Abryanna Cannon,
Kailey Keeble, and two from
Maddie Soboleski. Another 4-0 run by USA was capped off with a
Lillie Simons-
Hannah Maddux block before Maddux iced the set on a set point kill, 25-22.
A 5-0 streak to open the set left South Alabama in comeback mode from the start. The Chanticleers built up an imposing 17-8 lead before the Jaguars took to flipping the script. Another Maddux-Simons block and a
Paige Lynn ace helped to cut the lead in half before the Jaguars strung together an 8-1 run to tie the set at 21. An
Anna Loberg ace gave South their first lead of the set at 23-22 before it was tied back up at 24. The Jags capitalized on a hitting error for a Cannon kill that put the Jags up two sets on a 26-24 win.
It was South that opened up hot in the third set. Maddux stuck three kills in the opening points and Soboleski sent two herself before earning a block assist with Keeble to make it 10-4. Madduk kept her foot on the gas with another three kills to put USA up 15-8. Coastal and South then traded points back and forth until Cannon again scored a late kill to give the Jaguars match point. The Chanticleers strung together a few points to attempt a comeback but an attacking error gave the Jaguars the sweep on a 25-21 set.
Maddux led the team in kills with 13, and also had seven digs and five blocks. Cannon finished with 10 kills on an efficient .400 hitting percentage while Soboleski ended with 10 kills and two blocks. Keeble was dominant in all ranges of the match with 39 assists, 12 digs, four kills, and two blocks.
Paige Lynn again led in digs with 15, while
Briana Wilson also contributed defensively with seven digs.
NOTES
- South has held their opponents under .150 hitting percentage in 13 games this season.
- The Jaguars have eclipsed .300 hitting percentage in six different matches this season.
- South's 50 kills is the most in a three set match for them this season.
UP NEXT
South Alabama returns home for the final regular season series of the season hosting James Madison Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. and Nov. 10 at 6 p.m.
FOLLOW THE JAGS
To stay up to date on everything South Alabama Volleyball, follow the Jags on Twitter (@SouthAlabamaVB), Facebook (SouthAlabamaAthletics), Instagram (SouthAlabamaVB), or visit the official home of South Alabama Athletics (
usajaguars.com).
