Final Stats

MOBILE, Ala. - The Coastal Carolina volleyball team extended its season-long winning streak to eight matches Friday evening as the Chanticleers downed South Alabama in three sets (25-8, 25-18, 29-27) at the Jag Gym.

The Chants improve their Sun Belt East Division-leading record to 18-4, 9-1 with the win, while South Alabama falls to 13-11, 4-7 to retain on a hold on fourth place in the division.

Junior outside hitter Leah Hardeman once again paced the Chanticleer attack, putting down 12 kills at a .348 pace and tallying two aces to lead the team with 14 points. Annayka Legros also registered double-digit kills with 10 while adding a pair of blocks.

Sara Boothe served as the Chants' lone setter in the match and dished out a match-leading 32 assists, while defensive specialist Carla Cahill also recorded a match high with 15 digs.

Overall the Chants hit .250 for the match while the defense held the Jaguars to .096 to mark the second straight match in which the Coastal defense held the opposition to hitting below .100.

The opening set was dominated by Coastal as the Chants hit .500 to the Jaguars' -.174. Hardeman put down five kills in the set and helped Coastal jump out to a quick 14-6 lead to force USA into its first timeout. From there, the Chants allowed just two more points in the set as Tahleia Bishop, Natasa Savovic and Carla Cahill served Coastal to a 1-0 match lead.

South Alabama played the Chants closer in the second set, but a 15-6 CCU advantage to open the game proved to be too large of a lead for the Jaguars to overcome. Legros provided five kills in the set, while Bishop and Dora Lulic each put down three.

The final set was the only of the match in which the Chants did not lead the entire game. South Alabama held set point after a service error gave the Jaguars a 24-23 lead, but a Hardeman kill and USA attack error gave the Chants the advantage at 25-24. South Alabama managed the tie the game three more times before a USA ball handling error gave the Chants a 29-27 set win and the match.

Coastal takes on Troy at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday before closing out its regular season road schedule at Georgia Southern on Wednesday.