Trojans Hold Off South Alabama for Eighth Straight Win of Season

Friday, October 28

Troy, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

15-8,9-2Sun Belt

South Alabama

14-9,8-3Sun Belt

South Alabama

Troy

Trojans Hold Off South Alabama for Eighth Straight Win of Season

10/28/2022 9:48:00 PM | Volleyball

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – It was a great start to the last regular season home slate for Troy volleyball as the Trojans came away victorious over interstate rivals South Alabama in a five-set thriller (25-15, 25-16, 18-25, 25-23, 15-11) from Trojan Arena Friday night.

Not only does the win snap the Jaguar's two-game win streak over Troy dating back to the 2020 season, but with the victory, the Trojans have now won their eighth straight match of the season; something that has not been done since 2015.

"We came out playing at a very high level," head coach Josh Lauer said. "We took advantage of their errors, and I was proud of our composure down the stretch, allowing us to compete and execute at a very high level late in the match. It was a great match between two teams at the top of the conference."

The Trojans are now one win away from matching their most wins in Sun Belt Conference history at 10 with five matches left in the season.

It was the usual suspects leading the Trojans (15-8, 9-2), who now sit atop the Sun Belt West standings. Tori Hester led the match with 26 kills, one shy of her career high. Hester also had 18 digs on the evening, giving her three straight double-doubles and 11 on the year. Julia Brooks notched 21 kills with a match-high .500 hitting percentage. Amara Anderson totaled 58 assists and 11 digs, giving her ninth double of the season.

Freshman Amiah Butler came up with some clutch kills down the stretch, finishing with 15, and fellow freshman Jaci Mesa led the Trojans and the match with 20 digs.

South Alabama (14-9, 8-3) saw strong performances from Hannah Maddux with 18 kills, Kailey Keeble with 46 assists, and Rachel Hickey with 13 digs. The Jaguars recorded 15 service errors with just two aces on the night.

Set One: A 1-1 tie was as close as the Jaguars were coming to the lead as Troy took the lead after and never looked back. The Trojans hit a match-high .593 in the set with 17 kills, as Hester totaled eight in the set. However, troy left little doubt of a comeback after jumping out to a 21-13 lead that they would stretch to 10 and close out the set with a Brooks kill. It was the first set Troy had won over the Jaguars in two years.

Set Two: It was another dominant set by the Trojans, as they never trailed or even let the visitors tie the set. The second set started with six straight Trojan points, with two kills from Butler and Brooks each. South Alabama fought back and got within three points at 19-16, but the Trojans rattled off six straight points to take a two-set advantage.

Set Three: South Alabama did not allow the sweep, as the Trojans had a negative hitting percentage in the set. Troy got within three points late, but South Alabama outscored Troy 602 down the stretch to send it to set four.

Set Four: The fourth set saw 10 tie scores as one point separated the two teams throughout the set. Down 23-20, the Trojans got made it 22-23 and then 23-24, but the Jaguars would secure the 25^th point to send it to a fifth and final deciding set.

Set Five: Two unsuccessful challenges by the Jaguars proved to be a turning point in the Trojan's favor as they gave Troy a two-point cushion that they would not give up. Stretching the lead to three points late in the set, Hester did what she had been doing all night long as she sent the Trojan faithful home happy with a match-sealing kill.

Up Next: Troy closes out the regular season home slate with seniors' day tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 28, at 1 p.m., where seniors Jessica LoPresti, Ashley Guenveur, Isabella Mitchell, Halston Hillier, and Amara Anderson will be honored prior to the game.