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This weekend, the Troy Trojans (7-5, 2-0) opened up Sun Belt Conference volleyball play at home in a series against rival South Alabama (4-8, 0-2), sweeping a pair of matches.

In the first match, on Sept. 26, Troy earned a 3-0 win, taking all three sets 25-18, 25-19 and 25-19. Tori Hester led the Trojans with 15 kills, two aces, 14 digs and two aces, while Kalina Calvillo tallied seven kills and Amiah Butler earned six kills. Janelle Stuempfig also chipped in with five kills, 13 assists, two aces, three digs and two blocks.

Troy finished off the series with a thrilling 3-2 win on Sept. 27. After South Alabama took the first set 25-23 and won the second set 25-22, Troy answered by sweeping the next three straight sets 26-24, 25-20 and 15-12 to take the match.

“I was really proud of our fight and grit. It’s real easy to pack your bags and go home early there,” Troy Coach Josh Lauer said. “We really did a nice job, and the team responded well to being challenged. Tori laid the gauntlet down for the team. Her teammates rallied around (her) and responded well. I am really proud of Amiah for turning it around tonight after a tough night last night. There’s a lot of good play out there. Just a great start to the weekend. That’s a really good South Alabama team.”

Hester had a big night for Troy, tallying 30 kills, one ace, 13 digs and three blocks, while Butler earned 18 kills, two aces, 14 digs and seven blocks. Calvillo earned 12 kills and Stuempfig dished 38 assists and Jordan Sinness earned 20 assists. Hester’s 30 kills were the second most in her career and the third most for any Trojan in a single match.

Troy will look to keep the momentum going on the road this weekend for a conference series at Texas State on Oct. 4-5.