Troy Drops Divisional Matchup to South Alabama

Tuesday, October 29

Mobile, Ala.

6:30 PM

Troy University

18-5,8-3Sun Belt

South Alabama

18-7,9-2Sun Belt

Troy

South Alabama

Troy Drops Divisional Matchup to South Alabama

10/29/2019 8:52:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

By: Troy Athletics Communications

MOBILE, Ala. – Troy fell to in-state rival South Alabama Tuesday evening in a battle of top Sun Belt East teams. The Jags bested the Trojans, 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-20) in front of a packed Jags Gym.

Four Trojans recorded at least one service ace, led by a pair from Natalie Hummel. Cheyenne Hayes, Amara Anderson and Lacey Jeffcoat each tacked on one each to bring Troy's match total to five.

The South Alabama block was a problem all night for the Trojans as the Jags stifled Troy's attacks with 12 blocks. Halston Hillier registered a team high 10 kills for Troy. Caitlin Cooper and Julia Brooks were both very efficient, hitting .389 and .357, respectively.

"It was a tough loss tonight," head coach Josh Lauer said. "We did not execute consistently enough tonight to be successful. We need to do a better job of coaching the players through the emotion of these types of matches."

Troy is still in the thick of things in the divisional race with Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina visiting Trojan Arena this weekend. The Trojans' 13-match home win streak will be on the line Friday and Saturday night at 6:30 p.m.

"I think [the players] will be hungry to improve in practice these next couple days before two big matches this weekend," Lauer said. "We are looking forward to being back in Trojan Arena with our fans and the opportunity to bounce back."

Set One
Troy jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead after an early ace from Jeffcoat. Things were tight throughout the beginning of a set that contained four ties. South Alabama pulled away by three at 21-18 and Troy couldn't close the gap, dropping set one, 25-19. Hillier and Brooks each recorded three kills in the first set.

Set Two
The Trojans went on the attack early in the second set when Brooks slammed home a kill to put Troy up, 6-2. The Jags quickly closed the gap on a 15-11 lead, pulling even at 17-17. The Trojans were within striking distance tied at 20-20 but surrendered five of the next six points to fall 25-21 in set two.

Set Three
It was the Jags that got out to the early lead in set three, pushing their lead out to 14-11 midway through the set. Troy wouldn't go away without a fight, however, clawing back to tie things at 17-17. South Alabama responded with a 4-0 run and eventually clinched the set, 25-20.

Up Next
Troy return home Friday and Saturday for divisional matchups against Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina. Both matches are set to begin at 6:30 p.m.