NEW ORLEANS | Dalayla Blackwell was selected as the Defensive Player of the Week as announced by the league on Tuesday.

The selection marks the 40th selection in program history and the 12th Defensive Player of the Week selection. Blackwell is just the third middle hitter in program history to earn the award. 

Since his arrival in 2021, South Alabama has received 16 selections as either the Offensive, Defensive or Setter of the Week during head coach Jesse Ortiz's tenure.

During the opening weekend of action, Blackwell starred on both sides of the net for South Alabama at the Jaguar Classic as she led the club both offensively and defensively in all three matches. 

The Lafayette, La., native recorded 35 kills for a 2.92 kills per set average at the middle hitter position. Blackwell also posted an impressive .370 hitting percentage, while defensively, she led the team with 17 total blocks – five solo and 12 assists. In her 12 sets played, Blackwell averaged 1.42 blocks per set.

On Friday, Blackwell opened the season by tying a career high with 15 kills against Rice, while also recording a .361 hitting percentage and six total blocks. With her six total blocks, Blackwell surpassed the 175-block mark for her career.

After posting eight kills and two blocks against Mississippi State on Saturday, Blackwell was instrumental in leading South to a 3-1 win over Georgia State. Against the Panthers, Blackwell nearly recorded a double-double with 12 kills and nine total blocks. Of her nine blocks, three were of the solo variety, tying a career mark for the senior. The nine total blocks were one shy of matching a career mark in the category. Blackwell was extremely proficient in her attack as she posted a .474 hitting percentage in her 19 attempts. 

With the match tied at a set apiece, Blackwell provided a spark for the Jaguars in the third set. Coming out of the media time out, Blackwell teamed up with Anabelle Cerny and Eva Dittmar for a pair of block assists to extend the Jaguar lead to 17-8. South was able to grab a double-digit advantage a few points later after three more Blackwell kills and a kill by Cambria Gaier. The middle hitter later sealed the 25-11 victory with her ninth kill of the night. Blackwell was dominant in the third set as she recorded seven kills on seven attempts (1.000) and three total blocks – one solo and two assists.

In the fourth set, Blackwell broke an 8-8 tie and gave the Jags the lead for good as she sandwiched a pair of kills around a Georgia State attack error, and then teamed up with Dittmar for a block to give the Jags a four-point advantage.

Up Next
•    South Alabama (1-2) will next head to Belmont to take on the Bruins on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Curb Event Center. The Jags will also take on Middle Tennessee on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Lipscomb on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Allen Arena.

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