MOBILE, Ala. ? Behind the offensive output of outside hitters Tereza Bendlova and Hristina Markova, the University of South Alabama volleyball team swept Southeastern Louisiana 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-20) at the 2008 Jaguar Classic held at Jag Gym.

Bendlova led South Alabama with 12 kills, while Markova chipped in with 10 kills of her own. Bendlova, along with Juliana Pallamin de Almeida also added three service aces apiece in the win.  SELU was paced by Jessica Srajer’s 10 kills.

USA (5-2) will return to action later in the day Saturday when the Jags close out tournament play at 5 p.m. against Jackson State.  The Lady Lions fall to 3-4 on the year with the loss.

SET ONE: South Alabama 25, Southeastern Louisiana 21

In the opening set, South Alabama used an early 8-1 run to take control of the set and build a 13-6 lead.  Sophomore setter Maria Kashavelova got things started when she dropped in a kill.  The Jaguar run was later capped off by a Bendlova put away, one of her four in the opening set.  USA was able to build as much as an eight-point advantage before taking the 25-21 victory.

SET TWO: South Alabama 25, Southeastern Louisiana 22

South Alabama came out and took command straight out of the gate in set two, opening up by taking the first four points.  Bendlova gave USA its biggest lead of the set when the Jag junior recorded another kill, this one to put South Alabama up 19-11.  SELU was able to battle back and get as close as one on a couple of occasions late, but Lindsay Schwartz sealed the three-point set two victory with a kill of her own.

SET THREE: South Alabama 25, Southeastern Louisiana 20

For most of the final set, the Lady Lions held the momentum.  With SELU holding a 17-13 lead, Bendlova again sparked the Jaguar offensive attack, igniting a 9-1 run over the next ten points when she slammed home another kill.  Southeastern Louisiana had no answer the rest of the way, as South Alabama went on to take the set and the match with the 25-20 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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