Troy Match Notes

TROY, Ala. – In its only match of the weekend, the University of South Alabama volleyball team heads back out on the road to take on in-state Sun Belt Conference rival Troy Friday evening.  First serve versus the Trojans is set for 7 p.m. at Sartain Hall.  The match versus Troy will also be the first of three-straight on the road for the Jags.

“Whenever we play Troy, either here in Mobile or at their place, they’re always good matches with nice crowds and that’s what I’m expecting Friday night,” South Alabama head coach Nicole Keshock said. 

Live stats and a web cast of the match between the two clubs can be accessed on the volleyball schedule page at www.usajaguars.com.  The web cast can be purchased for just $5.95 on the day of the match.

South Alabama enters play this weekend with an 8-13 record and a 3-3 mark in the Sun Belt.  USA is looking to rebound against the Trojans after falling 3-0 to both Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.

USA’s Juliana Almeida ranks eighth in the conference in kills with 3.00 per set.  The senior outside hitter is hitting .255, while freshman middle blocker Torlandria Jones is leading the regulars with a .275 attack percentage.

Samia Salomao has also posted solid numbers this season as the junior is averaging 2.53 kills per set and a team-high 3.49 digs per set.  Freshman libero Jenna Hassell is close behind Salomao with 3.14 dps.   As a team, USA still ranks second in digs in the Sun Belt with 15.93 per set.

Nearing the midway point of the conference season, every match now has a little more importance for the Jags as they try to earn a berth in this year’s conference tournament.  USA currently sits in the sixth spot in the league’s overall standings, holding a one-match lead over Troy.

“Now that we have seen what the top teams in the conference look like, I feel like the rest of the conference is wide open,” Keshock said of the balance of the rest of the league.  “As we get closer to the halfway point in conference play, things will start to be determined as it relates to postseason play and seeding.  Not that any match is any more important than another match, but each one gets more and more important as you try to position yourself for postseason.”

The Trojans come into the contest versus the Jags with a 10-13 overall record and a 2-4 mark in the Sun Belt.  Like South Alabama, Troy was swept in straight-sets this past weekend by both Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky.

Four players are averaging 2.00 kills per set or better led by Devin Von Pingal’s 2.56.  Following close behind her is Natasha Kolunija at 2.38, while Brittany McClelland (2.15 kps) and Kayla Giles (2.00 kps) are also contributing to the Trojan attack.

Defensively, Courtney Cohen has been solid in the back court for Troy as the freshman libero is averaging 4.16 digs per set - fifth in the SBC.  As a team, the Trojans rank fourth in the league in that category with 15.6 dps.  In its six SBC matches, Troy has been even better, raising its average to 17.9 dps.

South Alabama holds a 34-20 advantage in the all-time series, but Troy has taken six of the last eight meetings between the two clubs, including sweeping both meetings last season.  USA holds a 12-11 mark in the series in matches held in Troy.
 
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).