NEW ORLEANS | After helping guide South Alabama to a 2-1 record over the weekend at the Alabama Showdown, Anabelle Cerny was selected as the Sun Belt Conference Setter of the Week as announced by the league on Tuesday.

The selection marks the 42nd player of the week selection in program history and the 10th Setter of the Week selection, nine of which have come during head coach Jesse Ortiz's tenure. Since his arrival in 2021, South Alabama has received 17 selections as either the Offensive, Defensive or Setter of the Week under Ortiz.

The freshman setter recorded double-doubles in all three matches and now has eight on the season. In her three matches, Cerny dished out 116 assists for a 10.55 assist per set average – two more assists per set that any other setter in the conference during the week – while she also had four kills, four aces, 36 digs (3.27 per set) and 11 block assists for a 1.00 blocks per set average. The Pleasant Prairie, Wis., native had 10 or more assists in nine of her 11 sets played.

On Thursday, Cerny recorded her first double-double with 34 assists, 13 digs, while adding three block assists in a straight-set victory over Samford. In the second set with the Jags holding set point, Cerny caught the Bulldog defense napping as she dumped in a kill to give South the 25-22 win and a 2-0 lead in the match.

Against UAB with Cerny posted 45 assists and 10 digs while adding a pair of aces and block assists. With her directing the offense, South Alabama placed four players in double figures in kills and hit .250 or better in three of the Jags' four sets.

In the third match of the weekend, Cerny had one of her strongest outings as she finished with 37 assists and a team-high 13 digs, while also recording a pair of aces and a career-high six block assists.

Up Next
•    South Alabama (5-7) will head to Harrisonburg, Va., to open up Sun Belt Conference play with James Madison. First serve of the series opener with the Dukes is set for 5 p.m. (CT) on Friday.

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