MOBILE, Ala. - South Alabama (8-3) cruised through a 3-0 win over Samford (5-6) Friday night in front of the home crowd at Jag Gym.

USA started lightning quick, flashing a 7-2 lead that featured a block from Juniors Abryanna Cannon and Lillie Simons, an ace from Paige Lynn, and a Niki Capizzi-Maddie Soboleski block. By the end of the 25-14 set, Anna Loberg put through an ace, Capizzi slammed down five kills, and the team totaled four blocks in four different player combinations between Capizzi, Simons, Soboleski, Cannon, and Kailey Keeble.

Set two left the Bulldogs trailing early again. In the Jaguars first eleven points, Lynn tallied another ace, and Soboleski and Maddux both sent home three kills each making it 11-6. Back-to-back blocks, a solo from Keeble and a Maddux-Capizzi assist, left Samford in the wake. Maddux's 20th ace of the season was too hot to handle and Capizzi hammered in the 24th and 25th points in set two for a 25-19 final.

Down 7-4 in set three, the Jaguars caught fire on a 6-0 run. Capizzi used a bad set to her advantage by sending a service ace over, then Maddux fired off three kills in a row and Simons book-ended the run with a kill to her name. Maddux gave the Jags a 16-9 lead with her second service ace of the night, then Simons and Cannon scored the next two points with kills. The Jaguars celebrated when Jaqueline Beville recorded her first collegiate kill, then a Maddux solo block sent the game to set point. A service error on the Bulldogs sealed the victory.

Niki Capizzi led in kills with 11, and Soboleski scored 10 of her own. Lynn notched the most digs for the team with 16 and tied Maddux for most aces at two. Keeble was all over the place with 28 assists, nine digs, and four total blocks. Capizzi finished with four total blocks, Simons with three, Soboleski two, Maddux two, and Cannon one to make nine total team blocks.

NOTES
- This is the third match of the season South has finished over .300 in hitting percentage.
- Hannah Maddux currently has 21 aces, tied for the same number she had all last season.
- The Jaguars' seven attack errors tonight is their lowest on the season.
- This is the second match of the season the Jags have held their opponent under .100 hitting percentage.

QUOTES
Coach Jesse Ortiz
On the team's defensive performance tonight
"I thought defense-wise we were pretty lights out. Just a lot of energy. One of the goals that we had today was to play hard, and it sounds basic but after last night we were just making sure we didn't have any lulls, control our side and staying focused one point at a time."

Senior Niki Capizzi
On her performance tonight
"I thought I did great today. I really just try to give my team a chance, and when I'm in I try to make an impact so when I'm off I don't have to worry about the little things. I just want the best for my team and I want to give the best for my team."

UP NEXT
South Alabama will conclude the Alabama Showdown and non-conference play against UAB on Sept. 16 at 3:30 p.m.

FOLLOW THE JAGS
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—USA—