MOBILE, Ala. - The University of South Alabama volleyball team fell 3-1 (25-21, 19-25, 16-25, 22-25) in Sun Belt Conference action to in-state rival Troy Friday evening at Jag Gym.

USA drops to 11-7 on the season and 2-13 in league play with the loss, while the Trojans keep their SBC tournament hopes alive and improve to 12-16 and 7-8 in the SBC with the win.

South Alabama was paced offensively by Hristina Markova's 11 kills, while Juliana Almeida and Tereza Bendlova each added 10 kills apiece.  Almeida also recorded a match-high 14 digs and six block assists to give the junior her 11th double-double of the season.  Jennica Hagberg had a double-double of her own for USA - her fourth of the season - with 42 assists and 10 digs.

Troy's Meghan Gilroy led all players with 18 kills of her own.  Kayla Giles and Devin Von Pigel chipped in with 10 kills apiece.

SET ONE: South Alabama 25, Troy 21

Trailing by one early on in the first set, Markova led the charge for the Jags and gave USA its first lead of the night (8-5) after a kill and a pair of aces.  With USA still holding a three-point advantage at 15-12 after a kill from Hagberg, the Trojans rattled off four unanswered points to retake the lead 16-15.

A few points later in the set with things tied at 20, the Jags closed strong, out-scoring the Trojans 5-1 over the final six points to take the first set 25-21.  The Trojans aided the Jaguar run with four attack errors.

SET TWO: Troy 25, South Alabama 19

In the second set, South Alabama's Bendlova and Lindsay Schwartz sparked an 8-2 run to put the Jags up by four (10-6).  The duo combined to record five of USA's eight points during the scoring spurt.  Troy quickly recaptured the momentum though as they answered with an 8-1 run of their own.  Giles and Von Pingel combined to block a Jaguar attack to ignite the run for Troy and Lauren Barney-Baker later capped things off with a put away of her own. 

South Alabama was only able to get as close as two for the remainder of the set, but Gilroy sealed the 25-19 victory for the Trojans with  her ninth kill of the match.

After hitting a .025 in the first set, Troy bounced back in the second to record a .345.

SET THREE: Troy 25, South Alabama 16

The Jags began the third frame by taking five of the first six points, but Troy hung around and eventually tied the set back up at 9-9 after an ace from Giles.  The set remained close until with USA holding a 14-12 lead, the Trojans reeled off nine unanswered points to break the set open.  Vicky Rogoschewsky highlighted the run for Troy with three-straight service aces.  USA was unable to narrow the deficit and eventually fell 25-16 victory after kills from Giles, Megan Henderson and Gilroy,

SET FOUR: Troy 25, South Alabama 22

Leading 2-1 in the match, the Trojans looked as if they were going to cruise the victory in the fourth set, opening up on a 7-2 run.  However, it was South Alabama's turn to rally back.  An Almeida kill and a block assist from Bendlova and Jaclyn Nickels gave USA a 10-9 advantage.  The Jags eventually led by as many as three after a Markova kill, but the Trojans quickly retook the lead (14-13) after a pair of aces from Emily Stadler. 

Neither team was able to pull away from the other for the remainder of the set, until with the set tied at 22, Troy pushed across the final three points.  Gilroy and Brittany McClelland combined to turn back a Jaguar attack.  Gilroy then followed with a solo block to put the Trojans at match-point.  On the next point, South Alabama committed an unforced attack error to give Troy t he 25-22 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).

-- USA --