STARKVILLE, Miss. — The South Alabama volleyball team won three of its four matches at the Maroon Classic in Starkville over the weekend, a run that included the program’s first-ever victory on Mississippi State’s home court. The Jaguars swept the host Bulldogs, beat Northwestern State and Nicholls State, and fell to Memphis to finish the tournament 3-1.
South Alabama left Starkville with a 5-5 overall record and two players on the all-tournament team.
Sweep of the Host Bulldogs
The Jaguars opened the event Thursday evening with a 3-0 win over Mississippi State, taking the sets 25-19, 25-18 and 25-14. Mechell Daniel led the way with a double-double, her third of the season.
The victory was South Alabama’s first against Mississippi State in Starkville and its first win over the Bulldogs at any site since 1987, when the Jaguars beat them at the Southern Miss Invitational.
Baker Digs 34 Against Northwestern State
On Friday, South Alabama defeated Northwestern State 3-1 by set scores of 25-22, 23-25, 25-15 and 25-15. Sophomore Abby Baker recorded 34 digs and two service aces.
Daniel added her second consecutive double-double and fourth of the season with 14 kills and 14 digs. Setter Emily Hundt distributed 45 assists and added eight digs.
Split on Saturday
The Jaguars played twice on Saturday. In the first match, they swept Nicholls State 25-17, 26-24, 25-16. Mallory Moore had 13 kills and hit .545, committing just one error in 22 attempts. Redshirt sophomore Nikki Gittens added 11 kills and hit .471.
South Alabama’s final match of the tournament was a 3-0 loss to Memphis, which won 25-16, 25-16, 25-17. The Jaguars committed 20 attack errors in the match, nine of them in the first set.
All-Tournament Honors
Hundt and Gittens were named to the Maroon Classic all-tournament team for their play during the weekend.
Up Next: Sun Belt Opener
South Alabama begins Sun Belt Conference play on Wednesday with a road match at Louisiana-Lafayette.
