Box Score (PDF)

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama volleyball team fell to Alabama in four sets (12-25, 27-29, 25-20, 21-25) Friday in the Jaguar Invitational at Jag Gym.

Alabama (3-1) took the first two sets, including a 29-27 win in set two, before USA (0-3) won the third set 25-20. The Crimson Tide clinched the match with a 25-21 win in set four. South Alabama will return to action with two matches on Saturday, beginning at 12:30 p.m. when it takes on McNeese State. The Jaguars will then face Southern Mississippi at 6:30 p.m. to close the tournament.

GAME FACTS
- Alabama recorded 13 total team blocks in the match, while the Jaguars finished with four total team blocks.
- Alabama posted a .314 team hitting percentage in the first set, and USA finished with a .000 hitting percentage following six kills and six errors.
- The Jags overcame a six-point deficit at 22-16 late in the second set, but rallied for five straight points to cut the Crimson Tide lead to 22-21. South Alabama earned set point at 25-24 following a kill by freshman Morgan Stalcup, but Alabama clinched the set 29-27 on consecutive kills by Christine Jarman and Leah Lawrence.

NOTES
- Ashlyn Roberts recorded her first double-double of the season, finishing with 20 assists and 13 digs.
- Iva Durdanovic led the Jaguar attack with 17 kills and a .278 hitting percentage along with four digs.
- Kristina Alabastro finished with 14 kills, eight digs and one service ace.
- Abby Baker finished with a team-high 23 digs while also adding seven assists. Kellyn Reeves recorded 15 assists and four digs.
- USA finished with season highs in kills (48) and digs (67).
- South Alabama fell to 4-24 all-time against the Crimson Tide. Alabama has won the last nine matches dating back to 1990.

QUOTES
Head Coach Amy Hendrichovsky
- On the match:
"I thought we came out with some nerves in that first set, and weren't able to execute on our side of the ball early then we fell into a big gap. We were behind again in the second set, but I was proud of our effort to catch up and put pressure on them (Alabama). I was proud of the fact that we were able to get pressure on them. We could have easily been happy competing in the third set, but we came out and wanted it. The girls really wanted this match, it just came down to execution at the end of sets."

- On improvement in tonight's match from last weekend:
"I thought we competed for a longer period of time tonight. Last weekend we played exceptional in moments, but we took points off. I don't think we took points off tonight – that wasn't the issue, it was just the focus to execute. They (Alabama) are a big team; they are very good defensively – they are a good team. If we can compete and continue to get better and learn from tonight, then we'll be very good too."

- On Alabama:
"We have a tough schedule down the road. We lost last weekend due to Hurricane Harvey; we have a tough schedule down the road and our girls know that. The reason I did that this year was I knew this team was going to be very good, and I didn't want to have any regrets that I didn't get them where they needed to be for (Sun Belt) conference (play). Playing against these caliber of teams will get us to where we need to be for conference."

UP NEXT
South Alabama will return to action with a pair of matches on Saturday. The Jags will face McNeese State at 12:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Jag Gym, followed by a 6:30 p.m. contest against Southern Miss.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with USAJaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at Twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Rally Score Club, the volleyball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All donations to the Rally Score Club go directly to support the South Alabama volleyball program. For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/rallyscoreclub.