Leading up to the start of the 2024 South Alabama volleyball season, we will preview all the position groups on the Jaguar roster.
The four-part series examines each position group ahead South's season opener versus Texas A&M at Jag Gym. This installment looks at South Alabama's middle hitters.
RETURNING STARTERS (1)
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Lillie Simmons (Gr., 5-11) – 31-31 (MP-MS), 110 SP, 142.5 points, 86 kills, .313 hitting percentage, 100.0 total blocks (0.91 bps), 13 blocks solo, 87 block assists
OTHER RETURNING PLAYERS (1)
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Evie Taylor (R-Jr., 6-1) – 13-0 (MP-MS), 7 kills
NEWCOMERS (3)
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Dalayla Blackwell (R-Fr., 5-11) – Was a member of the roster but redshirted the 2023 season
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Aniston Cochran (R-Fr., 5-11) – Was a member of the roster but redshirted the 2023 season
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Alexa Standberg (Fr., 6-3) – Recorded 291 kills, a .337 hitting percentage 58 aces, 50 total blocks and 203 digs during her final prep season
LETTERWINNERS LOST (1)
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Niki Capizzi – 30-30 (MP-MS), 338.5 points (3.08 ptps), 236 kills (2.15 kps), .310 hitting percentage, 123 total blocks, 24 blocks solo, 99 block assists (1.12 bps)
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
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Niki Capizzi – a second-team all-Sun Belt selection in 2023 – led the team and ranked seventh in the conference in blocks with 1.12 per set – the highest by a Jag since 2017 (
Kelly Hartman – 1.29)
- South Alabama led the Sun Belt in opponent's hitting percentage (.163)
- As a team, the Jags ended the 2023 season ranked third in the league in blocks with 2.48 per set
- The Jaguars also ranked in the Top 50 nationally in opponent hitting percentage (16th), in blocks per set (42nd) and in total blocks (48th ) with 283.0
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Alexa Strandberg is listed at all three front line positions (middle blocker, right side hitter and outside hitter)
FOLLOW THE JAGS
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