MOBILE, Ala. ? The University of South Alabama volleyball team fought off a pesky Nicholls State team Friday evening en route to a 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-17) sweep of the Colonels at the 2008 Jaguar Classic held at Jag Gym.

USA (4-2) will return to action on Saturday with a pair of matches, beginning at 11 a.m. when the Jags take on Southeastern Louisiana and then close out the tournament at 5 p.m. against Jackson State.  With the loss, Nicholls State falls to 1-7 on the year.

The Jags were led offensively by sophomore outside hitter, Hristina Markova’s 10 kills.  The Sofia, Bulgaria native was solid on offense, hitting a team-high .450 and committing just one attack error.  Juliana Almeida and Lindsay Schwartz also chipped in with eight kills apiece.  Nicholls State was paced by Rachel Spreen’s nine kills.

SET ONE:  South Alabama 25, Nicholls State 23

The two clubs battled back and fourth throughout the opening set, with neither team able to take more than a three-point advantage on the other.  South Alabama’s Markova and Brittany Blackwelder put the Jags out in front for good when the duo combined for a block assists, their second of the opening set.  Almeida later sealed the 25-23 victory for the Jags her fourth kill of the opening set.  Markova also notched five of her 10 kills in the opener.

SET TWO: South Alabama 25, Nicholls State 20

Like the first set, set two proved to be just as tough for USA until tied at 11-11, the Jags were able to rattle off five of the next seven points to take the lead for good.  The Colonels pulled to within one at 18-17, after a Manieka Golden service ace and a Jaguar attack error, but that was as close as they would get.  South Alabama went on to take a 2-0 lead in the match with the five-point victory (25-20).  For the set, the Jag offense recorded a .346 hitting percentage.

SET THREE: South Alabama 25, Nicholls State 17

After a tight battle early on in the third and final set, South Alabama used a 6-2 scoring spurt midway through the set to take control, this run coming with the Jags holding an 8-6 lead.  The Jaguar run was capped off by a Markova service ace.  Schwartz sealed the match victory with one of her eight kills.  USA’s offense was solid again in the third set, recording a .348 percentage and limiting Nicholls State to a -.070.

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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