MOBILE, Ala. ? Behind a balanced offensive attack, the University of South Alabama (6-2) captured the 2008 Jaguar Classic tournament title with a 3-1 (21-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-8) victory over Jackson State at Jag Gym.  The victory was the second of the day for the Jags.

Sophomore outside hitter Juliana Pallamin de Almeida was one of four Jags to finish the match in double figures, leading the way with 15 kills, while also recording a .400 hitting percentage.  Hristina Markova, Tereza Bendlova and Lindsay Schwartz also chipped in with 10 kills each.  Jag setter Maria Kashavelova continued her outstanding tournament play with 48 assists, six digs, two kills and two block assists.  For her efforts through out the three matches of the Jaguar Classic, Kashavelova was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.  Markova and Bendlova were also selected to the all-tournament team.

Jackson State (1-15) was paced by Keesha Duminie’s 12 kills.  Dumine was also selected to the all-tournament team for her play during the weekend along with Southeastern Louisiana’s Jessica Srajer, Nicholls State’s Rachel Spreen and Enjoli Ford.

SET ONE: Jackson State 25, South Alabama 21

Both teams battled back-and-forth in the opening set, exchanging the lead three times and tying the contest up on 10 occasions.  After a Jaguar service error and a setting error, Jackson State was able to take the lead for good.  Got as close as one several times down the stretch of the first set, but USA could not retake the lead eventually falling 25-21 to the Tigers.  Duminie led the way for JSU, recording six of her 12 kills in the opening frame. 

SET TWO: South Alabama 25, Jackson State 18

USA tied the match up at one set apiece in the second set with a 25-18 victory in the second set.  Like in the first set, the two clubs kept it close until with things tied 12-12, South Alabama was able to push across nine of the next 12 points to pull out in front for good.  Markova capped off the scoring run for the Jags with an ace. 

SET THREE: South Alabama 25, Jackson State 18

In the third set, the Jags grabbed the momentum right out of the gate, jumping out to a quick 8-3 advantage.  Markova later gave South Alabama its largest lead of the set at 14-6 the defense in the third set, recording nine of her 18 digs in the frame.  The Jags held control the rest of the way the defense in the third set, recording nine of her 18 digs in the frame.  The Jags held control the rest of the way and went on to go up 2-1 in the match with another 25-18 win.

SET FOUR: South Alabama 25, Jackson State 8

Riding the momentum of the previous two sets, USA came out and recorded its most dominant performance of the tournament.  The Jags made quick work of the Tigers, opening up the fourth set with a 16-1 run, including a string of 15 straight points.  In the fourth set, South Alabama rode its frontline defense, recording 13 block assists.  Schwartz led the way with four of her match-high nine block assists during the set.  USA continued its dominant play and went on to take the 25-8 set win and the match.  The Jags also recorded a .529 hitting percentage in the set.

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).

2008 Jaguar Classic All-Tournament Team

Keesha Duminie - Jackson State

Jessica Srajer - Southeastern Louisiana

Rachel Spreen - Nicholls State

Enjoli Ford - Nicholls State

Tereza Bendlova - South Alabama

Hristina Markova - South Alabama

MVP - Maria Kashavelova - South Alabama

-- USA --