WADLEY, Ala. - Coastal Alabama - South Women's Volleyball, led by head coach Ritchie Dulaney, opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion Friday night, Aug. 21, earning a 3-0 sweep over Southern Union State Community College (Ala.) in Wadley, Ala. The Coyotes took all three sets by scores of 25-21, 25-23 and 25-15 to open the season 1-0.
'Yotes Break Out the Brooms
Coastal - South controlled the opening set from the outset, posting nine kills while limiting its mistakes to five. The Coyotes closed out the first set, 25-21, to take an early 1-0 advantage in the match.
Meanwhile, the second set proved to be the closest of the night. The Coyotes battled through 10 attack errors but came up with eight kills and held off the Bison, 25-23, to move within one set of the season-opening sweep. The 'Yotes then saved their strongest offensive performance for the third set, recording 11 kills with just two errors to eventually claim the set, 25-15, and complete the sweep to begin the year.
Sophomore Ella Kyker led the Coyotes offensively with 11 kills on 30 attacks, while fellow sophomore Zion Paden added seven kills. Anna Musgrove contributed three kills and was a key facilitator throughout the match by recording all 23 of Coastal - South's assists. Musgrove also added three service aces and eight digs.
On the defensive side, freshman Kaylee Worrell paced Coastal - South with 14 digs, while first-year Coyote Sophia Gress added 11 digs. Another freshman in Katie Hasting finished her first collegiate match with eight digs in the win. Overall, the 'Yotes totaled 55 digs as a unit across the three sets played.
At the net, Kyker recorded three block assists, while Musgrove, Paden, Elizabeth McMillan, Wendy Reyes Duenas each contributed a block assist apiece.
Home Opener Ahead
With the first match of the 2026 season officially in the books, Coastal - South is set for the first home match of the season next. The Coyotes will host Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on Tuesday, Aug. 25 to begin the home portion of the schedule, with first serve being set for 6:00 p.m. CT inside Jack Robertson Arena in Bay Minette, Ala.
Tuesday's home opener will be broadcasted live on JockJive.com, Coastal Alabama Athletics' streaming partner.
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