Denver and North Texas Match Notes

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama volleyball team will face one of its toughest road test of the season this weekend when the Jags travel to North Texas and Denver.  The two clubs currently rank first and second, respectively, in the Sun Belt’s West Division.  

“This trip always presents a new challenge for us with the aspect of having to fly,” South Alabama head coach Nicole Keshock said.  “Both Denver and North Texas are playing better than they were a couple of weeks ago.  I also think we have been playing better as of late.  We just need to focus on controlling what we can on our side of the net and play our type of match.  We haven’t really seen that for a full match yet this season, but hopefully this weekend we can put it all together.”

USA will open up the trip at Denver on Friday night at 8 p.m. (CT) at Hamilton Gym and then close out the road swing on Sunday afternoon when it takes on UNT at 1 p.m. at the Mean Green Volleyball Center.  Live stats for both matches can be accessed at www.usajaguars.com.

After picking up an exciting 3-2 victory in its lone match of the week against Troy, South Alabama enters action this weekend with a 9-13 overall mark and a 4-3 record in the SBC.

Juliana Almeida’s 2.88 kills per set still pace the squad, while Samia Salomao is close behind with 2.54 kps of her own.  Sophomore right side hitter Olivia Mohler is also averaging over two kills per set for USA at 2.02.  The Vancleave, Miss., native is coming off a career-high 14 kills versus the Trojans.

On the defensive side of the net, Salomao and freshman libero Jenna Hassell continue to anchor the back court.  Salomao leads the team with 3.40 digs per set, but Hassell’s dig tally is continuing to climb.  Against Troy, Hassell led all players with a career-high 27 digs, which were part of a season-high 90 for the Jags.  The Niceville, Fla., native is averaging 3.28 dps.  As a team, South Alabama ranks third in the Sun Belt in digs with 16.06 per set.

The Pioneers come into play this week with an 11-13 record and a 5-5 mark in the Sun Belt.  This past weekend, Denver picked up a pair of 3-1 victories at Louisiana-Lafayette and at Louisiana-Monroe.  DU will travel to Colorado State on Wednesday before hosting the Jags on Friday.

Offensively, the trio of Brea Muhle, Alex Turgeon and Alyssa Bonelli lead the club.  Muhle is averaging 2.83 kills per set, while Turgeon (2.51) and Bonelli (2.38) are right behind her.  

Kacie Wikierak, the league’s preseason defensive player of the year has posted solid numbers this season.  Entering play this week, the senior libero is averaging 4.12 digs per set - fifth-best in the SBC.

Denver has dominated the series versus the Jags.  In the previous 18 meetings, the Pioneers hold a 17-1 advantage in those matches, including a perfect 9-0 mark in those held in the “Mile High City”.  USA’s lone victory in the series came back during the 2000 season, when the Jags picked up a 3-0 victory in Mobile.

The Mean Green enters play this week as one of the hottest teams in the Sun Belt.  Over its last seven matches, North Texas has won six, including four-straight.  UNT currently holds a two-and-a-half match lead over Denver in the West Division standings as the Mean Green is 15-9 and 7-2 in the conference.

Senior outside hitter Amy Huddleston has provided most of the offense for UNT this season, as she ranks fourth in the SBC in kills with 3.56 per set.  As a team, North Texas is averaging 14.01 per set - second in the Sun Belt.

Sarah Wiley’s defense has also played a huge role in the Mean Green’s success.  The junior libero has been named the conference’s defensive player of the week three times, including this week.  She is averaging 4.60 digs per set, which ranks fourth in the Sun Belt.  As a team, the Mean Green ranks second in the league in that same category with 16.22, while also ranking second in opponent’s hitting percentage (.171) and third in attack percentage (.225).

North Texas holds a 13-5 advantage in the all-time series between the two clubs.  Before last season’s 3-1 loss to UNT in Mobile, the Jags had captured the last two meetings, including a 3-1 win during their last trip to Denton.  USA is just 3-6 in the series against the Mean Green in Denton.

 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).