University of South Alabama Athletics

REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (2024)
- Blossomed into one of the top freshmen in the Sun Belt Conference
- Started 19 matches at the middle hitter position for the Jags 
- Recorded 120 kills and averaged 1.60 kps, while ranking third in the Sun Belt Conference with a .338 attack percentage
- Posted 64 total blocks – 15 solo and 49 assists – for an average of 0.82 per set 
- Was even better in conference play as she averaged nearly two kills per set (1.75) with 49 of her 64 total blocks coming against league foes 
- Her .376 hitting percentage in SBC play was second-best among league players 
- Had 12 matches with six or more kills, with all but three of those coming in league play 
- Led the Jags in blocks seven times during the fall 
- Had 11 matches with three or more blocks and six with five or more 
- Has had seven or more kills in seven of her final 10 matches to close out the season and five or more kills in 10 of her last 12 
- Also hit .333 or better in eight of her last 12, including seven matches of .455 or higher 
- Had 17 total kills and hit over .467 in both matches of South Alabama’s series sweep of Texas State, while she also had seven blocks 
- Followed that with 17 more kills at Southern Miss the following weekend and eight more blocks 
- Best offensive series came in South’s road sweep of James Madison where she had 18 total kills and hit .500 or better in both matches
- Came off the bench to post six kills, a .455 attack percentage and four total blocks versus Georgia Southern (11/22) at the Sun Belt Conference Championship 

FRESHMAN (2023)
- Sat out the season as a non-medical redshirt

HIGH SCHOOL
- Was a four-year letterwinner in volleyball at Lafayette High School in Lafayette, La.
- Earned All-Acadiana Team honors in 2019
- Was a two-time first-team, all-district selection (2020 and ‘22) and second-team in 2021
- Also lettered in basketball for three seasons and softball for two
- Played two years of club ball for Cajun Elite

PERSONAL
- Full name is Dalaya Jornae Blackwell
- Born in Lafayette, La.
- Daughter of Shawanna Blackwell
- Has a younger sister, Smya
- Majoring in sports management