Match Notes - Florida Atlantic and Florida International

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama volleyball team will close out the 2010 regular season this weekend when the Jags travel to the “Sunshine State” for a pair of matches.  USA will open up the trip on Friday against Florida Atlantic a 6 pm. (CT) at FAU Arena in a match with major postseason implications on the line.  On Saturday, the Jags will play their final regular-season match of the season when they take on Florida International at 5:30 p.m. (CT) at US Century Bank Arena.

Live stats for both matches will be available at www.usajaguars.com

The Jaguars (10-19, 5-7 SBC) currently hold the eighth-seed for the Sun Belt tournament and sit just one-match ahead of Friday night’s opponent Florida Atlantic for the final spot in the tourney.  With a win versus the Owls, USA will earn its second berth in the past three seasons in the league championships to be held in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Nov. 18-20).

“When I talked with the team yesterday, I just told them that I want them to look at this as a great opportunity,” South Alabama head coach Nicole Keshock.  “I actually like being in the situation that we are in, where we can see how our players respond.  I think it will be a great learning experience for us.  We have three freshmen starting for us right now, who have handled pressure this season remarkably well.  This is just one more piece to that puzzle. I think that this experience good for us this year as we try to get into the tournament, but also for our freshman and under classmen who are going to be with the program for the next few years.  To be able to perform in this type of situation is just going to help them tremendously.”

Should the Jags lose to FAU, South Alabama would need to defeat Florida International and have Troy defeat the Owls on Saturday to gain the final spot.  UALR also still has a slim chance to move into the tournament, but would have to win its final three matches and have some help.

South Alabama continues to be led offensively by the outside hitter duo of senior Juliana Almeida and junior Samia Salomao.  Almeida still ranks among the league leaders with 2.94 kps, while Salomao is close behind her with 2.62.  Both Almeida and Salomao have been important for the Jags on defense.  Salomao ranks second on the club with 3.37 dps, while Almeida is third at 2.82 dps.  Salomao has also posted a team-best 12 double-doubles this season.  Almeida has eight double-doubles of her own.

As a team, the Jags rank second, just behind Louisiana-Lafayette, in digs with 15.67 per set.  Leading the way individually in that category for USA is freshman libero Jenna Hassell.  Hassell has been the anchor in the back court for South Alabama all season and has made several outstanding digs.  The Niceville, Fla., native enters the matches this weekend averaging 3.61 dps.  In SBC action, she is averaging over four per set.

The Owls come into Friday’s match sitting just one match behind the Jags in the standings for the final spot in the SBC tournament.  Florida Atlantic holds a 13-17 overall record and a 4-10 mark in the conference. This past weekend, FAU split its two matches at home, falling 3-0 to Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday, but bouncing back to pick up a 3-0 victory over Louisiana-Monroe.

The Owls have used a balanced attack this season as four regulars are averaging at least two kills or better per set.  Chriatina Wallinger leads the way with 2.66, while Anne Vaughan is close behind her with 2.37 per set.  Wallinger also leads the team in blocks with 84 on the year.  In the back court, Cintia Nightingale paces the squad with 3.53 dps.

FAU holds a 7-3 advantage in the all-time series between the two clubs.  Dating back to the 2008 season, the Owls have won four of the last five meetings, including at 3-0 victory in Mobile on Oct. 31. 

The Golden Panthers enter the weekend sitting in third place in the Sun Belt East Division with a 15-10 overall mark and a 9-4 record in the conference.  Florida International has been playing well as of late, winning seven of its last nine.  Over the last four matches, the Golden Panthers have dropped just one set. FIU will travel to take on Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday evening.

One player who has keyed the strong play for during that stretch has been Jovana Bjelica, who rejoined the team three matches ago.  During that time, the sophomore outside hitter has averaged 5.80 kills per set and recorded 3.10 digs per set.   Both Bjelica and junior middle blocker Andrea Lakovic (2.91 kps) have turned into a lethal duo for FIU’s opponents.  Over the last three matches, Bjelic has posted 58 kills, while Lakovic has recorded 52.

Senior setter Nicki Valentin has been solid directing the Golden Panther attack this season.  Coming into play, she ranks 31st in the NCAA in assists per set with 10.99.

FIU holds a dominant 19-4-1 record in the all-time series between the two teams.  The Golden Panthers have won 17 of the last 18 meetings in the series, including 11-straight.  USA’s last win versus Florida International came back during the 2004 season, when the Jags captured a 3-2 victory in Miami. 

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).