Key Waves of Offense Lift South Alabama Past Louisiana

MOBILE, Ala. – A pair of key scoring runs were the difference maker for South Alabama in a 3-1 (25-18, 26-24, 14-25, 25-20) win over Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball on Friday evening at Jaguar Gym.

The Jaguars (13-6, 4-1 Sun Belt) used a 10-0 run in the first set and an 8-0 spurt in the fourth set to flip the script on the Ragin' Cajuns (5-13, 1-4 Sun Belt) in what started out as back-and-forth frames.

South Alabama also benefitted from a slight edge in firepower in an offensive shootout, holding a 59-53 edge in kills. The hosts used their efficiency to lay claim to a 2-0 match edge, hitting .300-plus in the first two frames.

Louisiana led 10-8 in the first set after a Hali Wisnoskie ace and USA ball handling error. The Jaguars recorded a sideout and started the first pivotal scoring spree forging ahead 18-10 and the Ragin' Cajuns were left chasing.

Back-to-back Wisnoskie kills drew a 24-all tie in the second set and offered Louisiana a chance to even the match. Two rallies later, a call reversal on a Jaguars shot near the line in the back corner denied the visitors the possibility of changing the momentum.

The Ragin' Cajuns raced out to a 10-4 start and turned up the defensive pressure, limiting USA to just seven kills in the third set, in getting on the scoreboard. Leading 17-13, Dree'Ana Abram served up seven straight points to put the hosts away.

The teams were deadlocked at 13-all in the fourth set after Wisnoskie and Kelsey Bennett scored kills. USA answered with a pair of kills of its own, triggering the last match-altering spurt and opening a 21-13 advantage.

LEADING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Wisnoskie produced season-high totals of 18 kills and a .309 hitting percentage. It was her fifth double-digit kills total in the past eight matches.

Bennett scored nine kills while Desiree Johnson (eight kills off 16 swings) and Tia Jade Smith (seven kills off 13 swings) were the Ragin' Cajuns' most efficient attackers.

Smith's four blocks (1 BS, 3 BA) led a group of four Louisiana players with multiple blocks.

Hannah Ramirez scooped a team-best 17 digs and was joined in double figures by Wisnoskie who added 14 digs to her stat line for her third double-double of the season.

With 36 assists, Avery Breaux handed out 30-plus helpers for the fourth time in five Sun Belt matches.

UP NEXT
Louisiana travels north on Interstate 65 and heads to Troy for a meeting with the Trojans (14-3, 4-1 Sun Belt) on Saturday at Trojan Arena. Live coverage on ESPN+ begins at 6:30 p.m.

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Key Waves of Offense Lift South Alabama Past Louisiana

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Team Stats

Hali Wisnoskie

Kelsey Bennett

Desiree Johnson

Tia Jade Smith

Players Mentioned

Dree'Ana Abram

Kelsey Bennett

Avery Breaux

Desiree Johnson

Hannah Ramirez

Tia Jade Smith

Hali Wisnoskie

Players Mentioned

Dree'Ana Abram

Kelsey Bennett

Avery Breaux

Desiree Johnson

Hannah Ramirez

Tia Jade Smith

Hali Wisnoskie

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