NEW ORLEANS ? The University of South Alabama volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (18-25, 14-25, 21-25) Sun Belt Conference decision to New Orleans Thursday evening at the Human Performance Center on the Privateer campus.

The Jags (7-7, 1-5 SBC) will continue on the road when they take on Louisiana-Lafayette Friday at 5 p.m.  Friday night’s web cast of the match versus the Ragin’ Cajuns, as well as live stats, will be available via the web at www.usajaguars.com.

New Orleans (10-5, 3-2 SBC) was led on the night offensively by Dobrilla Kovacevic’s 13 kills.  Maria Szivos (12) and Lindsey Loyd (11) also finished the night in double figures. 

Hristina Markova led USA with five kills and freshman libero finished with 17 digs.

SET ONE: New Orleans 25, South Alabama 18

New Orleans came out in the opening set and got off to a quick start after a pair of Jaci Bayley back-to-back aces.  After trailing by three early on, the Jags battled back and tied the contest up at 10-10 when Juliana Almeida and Blackwelder combined for a block assists.  Later in the set with the Privateers holding a 15-14 advantage, UNO’s Szivos ignited a 5-0 with one of her six kills in the first set to put the Privateers out in front 20-14.  New Orleans went on to take a 1-0 lead in the match with the 25-18 first set victory.

SET TWO:  New Orleans 25, South Alabama 14

Like in the first set, the host Privateers jumped out early, reeling off the first four points of the set.  USA narrowed the deficit to one a few points later, but that was as close as the Jags were able to get.  With South Alabama trailing by five (18-13), New Orleans again closed strong, pushing across eight of the final nine points en route to the 25-14 set two victory.  The Jags didn’t help their cause in the second frame as it recorded a -.167 (5-9-24) hitting percentage for the set.  UNO on the other hand was on fire offensively, hitting .400 (13-3-25).  Loyd and Kovacevic were the offensive leaders for the Privateers in the set, recording six and five kills, respectively.

SET THREE: New Orleans 25, South Alabama 21

In set three, South Alabama was the one to jump out first with the first three points of the set, two of which coming after a pair of Blackwelder blocks.  UNO answered right back though and took the lead with an 8-1 spurt.  Later in the set, the Privateers took their largest lead at 20-14 after a Kaley Hubbard kill.  However, the Jags fought back and reeled off six of the next seven points to cut the deficit to one at 21-20, the final point of the run coming when Blackwelder, Markova and Maria Kashavelova combined to turn back a UNO attack.  New Orleans quickly regained the momentum and didn’t allow USA to get any closer as the Privateers held on to take the set and the match with the 25-21 win.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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