By: Michael Hanich | Sports Editor
The South Alabama Jaguars Volleyball team was on a significant four-game win streak after starting the season 0-5. Following a losing streak and winning streak, the Jaguars were looking to continue their winning ways as they had to host the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in a three-match event over two days, Thursday, Oct. 15, and Friday, Oct. 16.
This would be a pivotal series against their Sun Belt Conference foes as they are looking to become more efficient in their performance as they needed to prepare for serious conference play. The Jaguars lost all three matches versus the Chanticleers on Thursday and Friday. Only one match went past three sets, with that match being the only game during the week on Friday.
The Chanticleers won the first match with a three-set score of 25-22, 25-15, and 26-24 on Thursday. The Jaguars accounted for 27 kills and 20 errors on a .086% attacking percentage, as opposed to the Chanticleers 30 kills and 14 errors and an attacking percentage of .190%. In the second match on Thursday, fatigued started to settle in for the Jaguars and their players. South Alabama was losing steam as they encountered fewer points and fewer kills as the match settled in. The Chanticleers outgained the Jaguars in total points accounted for 52-to-42, and kills accounted for 37-to-32.
In the final match of the series, the Jaguars looked to rebound in the only match of the day. The Jaguars started the match sluggish with a 25-10 score in the first set. They did win their first set in the three-match series against Coastal Carolina with a 25-15 score. The Jaguars proceeded to lose the next two sets in the last match with a 25-14 score.
Sophomore outside hitter Hannah Maddux accounted for 22 kills in the three games, with her best performance coming on Friday with ten kills. Freshman middle blocker Rebecca Walk accounted for seven total blocks in the three matches against the Chanticleers.
The Chanticleers had a unique blend of height and power in their spikes. They were also highly efficient in creating misdirection on the defense of the South Alabama Jaguars. The Jaguars encountered numerous problems with digging errors, which is an area they will need to address as their season continues into more serious conference play.
The South Alabama Jaguars (4-8; 4-4 in Sun Belt Conference play) will continue their season as they will host the Georgia Southern Eagles (1-1 in Sun Belt Conference play) in another three-match set in two days this next Thursday and Friday.
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