MOBILE, Ala. ? After dropping a heartbreaker in the opening round of the Jaguar Classic last night, the South Alabama volleyball team rebounded with a 3-0 (30-25, 30-13, 30-25) victory over Kennesaw State Saturday morning at Jag Gym.

USA (4-4) will continue tournament play later Saturday when it takes on McNeese State at 4 p.m.  Kennesaw State falls to 2-12 on the season with the loss.  Juliana Pallamin de Almeida led all Jags with a match-high 11 kills.  Jenna Swilley and Hristina Markova were close behind Almeida with nine and eight kills of their own, respectively.  Senior libero Shannon VanAntwerp also recorded 16 digs on the defensive side of the net for South Alabama against the Lady Owls.    KSU was paced by Asjia Stokes nine kills.

The key stat of the contest was in the attack percentage column were South Alabama out hit Kennesaw State .368 to .041.

GAME ONE: South Alabama 30, Kennesaw State 25

In game one, South Alabama came out of the gates and grabbed the first three points of the match on a Shannon VanAntwrep service ace sandwiched in between two Jaguar kills for Lauren Robbins and Jenna Swilley.  After Kennesaw State cut the Jag advantage to two at 11-9 on a USA attack error, South Alabama took control of the first game, taking five of the next six points.  The Lady Owls never threatened the rest of the way, as USA went on to take the opener 30-25.

GAME TWO: South Alabama 30, Kennesaw State 25

Trailing 1-0 in the match, KSU controlled game two early with a quick 3-0 lead.  USA, however, responded to the Owl run with a15-6 outburst, including seven unanswered points to begin the run.  Junior middle blocker Brittany Blackwelder started the run with one of her eight kills on the afternoon.  Still holding a five point led at 15-10 later in the second contest, USA closed the game on fire scoring 15 of the final 18 points.  Almeida got things started when she slammed home another kill. 

GAME THREE: South Alabama 30, Kennesaw State 25

In the finale, USA led 18-14 but Kennesaw State kept battling back and retook the lead (20-18) with a 6-0 run that was led by three Ginny Frederick service aces.  After exchanging the lead a few times over the next several points USA was finally able to take control of the third game and break a 24-24 tie.  Blackwelder sealed the 30-25 victory for the Jags with another put away.