Mobile, Ala. - With the return of the Jaguars all-conference Middle Blocker, South also adds new faces to the roster for the 2023 season. The season opens at home against Stephen F. Austin on August 25, at 6 p.m. at Jaguar Gym.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (1)
Niki Capizzi (6-3, 5th Year) - (2022) Made 31 starts in 31 appearances … 2022 Sun Belt Second-Team All-Conference … Fourth in the Sun Belt in total blocks (116) and tied for eighth best all time for South Alabama … .326 hitting percentage was the best on the team, fourth-best in the conference, and fourth in the Jaguars' all-time records … Seventh in the Sun Belt in blocks per set (0.98)… Recorded 280 kills, a .326 hitting percentage, 28 service aces, 68 digs, 116 blocks, and seven assists … Tied her career kills (14) three separate times, the most recent against Texas State (10/22) … She also tied her career blocks (8) against Texas State (10/22) … 2022 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year … Preseason All-Sun Belt Team.
OTHER RETURNING PLAYERS (1)
Evie Taylor (6-1, R-So.) - (2022) Appeared in five contests for the squad … Tallied two kills from six attacks, one dig and one block from five sets played.
NEWCOMERS (2)
Aniston Cochran (5-11, Fr.) - Played four years at Mary G Montgomery High School … Also participated in track, horse riding, and gymnastics.
Dalayla Blackwell (5-11, Fr.) - Four-year letterwinner in volleyball at Lafayette High School … Played three years of basketball and two years of softball … Earned 2019 All-Acadiana Team honors … Two-time First Team All-District selection (2020, 2022) and Second Team All-District (2021).
WHAT TO KNOW
- Capizzi has been voted to the 2023 Preseason All-Sun Belt Team.
- Capizzi is the team's returning leader in service aces and blocks.
- Capizzi's .326 hitting percentage in 2022 was fourth all-time by a Jaguar player in a single season, and is currently hitting .310 in her career, second in program history.
- Capizzi's 116 blocks from last season is tied for eighth all-time in program history.
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).
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