HAMMOND, La. – The University of South Alabama volleyball team will begin one of the busiest weeks of its schedule Tuesday night when the Jags head to Hammond, La., for a midweek contest against Southeastern Louisiana at the University Center.  The match versus the Lions will begin a stretch in which USA plays five matches in five days.  Following the match against Southeastern Louisiana, South Alabama will travel to Statesboro, Ga., to compete at the Springhill Inn & Suites Invitational this weekend.  

“The way that our schedule is this week will be a great test for our team,” South Alabama head coach Nicole Keshock said.  “The five matches in five days will really be a challenge for us, especially with them all away from home.  During conference play, there will be times were we have to play somewhere one night and then make a quick turn around and travel to another place.  We will have to be ready to play no matter what.  These matches are also important for us, because the teams that we will play will be similar to the types of teams that we will see in our league.  

First serve against SELA is set for 7 p.m.  Live stats for the match between the Jags and the Lions can be accessed at www.usajaguars.com.

South Alabama (4-6) comes into the match against Southeastern Louisiana after recording a 2-1 record this past weekend at the Nicholls Invitational.  After falling 3-1 to the tournament host Colonels on Friday, USA bounced back with a pair of 3-0 victories over Southern and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Over the weekend, the Jags received strong performances from a couple of freshmen – Torlandria Jones and Jessica Lewis.  Jones had 22 kills and eight block assists in her three matches and became the third Jag this season to be named to an all-tournament team.  Seeing her first real action of the season, Lewis also had solid numbers, posting 27 kills, seven digs and four block assists.  

“This past weekend, we were able to use a different lineup and I think that will help us down the road,” Keshock added.  “With Jessica showing us what she can do, we now have more options.  I’m excited to see how everyone will step into their roles now that we have had some of our newcomers step it up this past weekend.”

On the season, senior outside hitter Juliana Almeida continues to lead the club and rank among the Sun Belt leaders in kills with 3.61 per set.  Salomao (2.58 kps) and Lewis (2.55 kps) rank second and third, respectively.  Salomao also leads the team with 3.70 digs-per-set and recorded pair of double-doubles for USA this past weekend.

Southeastern Louisiana (7-5) also comes into the match after finishing 2-1 over the weekend at the Lady Techster Tournament.  SELA fell in straight-sets to Louisiana Tech in the opener, but picked up 3-0 wins over Grambling State and Centenary on Saturday.  The Lions have faced four opponents from the SBC – USA, North Texas, Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe – this season and hold a 1-3 record against them.

Offensively, senior outside hitter Allison Jones’ 2.47 kills-per-set, while sophomore middle blocker Courtney Donald is also over two kills with 2.03 per set.  The Lions also have four other players averaging at least 1.50 kills-per-set.  On the defensive side of the net, Chelsea Barr (3.50 dps) and Alex Greer (3.47 dps) have been solid in the back court for Southeastern Louisiana.

South Alabama and Southeastern Louisiana have met 39 times in the all-time series between the two programs.  With the 3-0 victory over the Lions at the Jaguar Classic, the Jaguars hold a slight advantage in the all-time series with a 20-19 record.  USA has won four-straight in the series coming into Tuesday’s match.  Against current members of the Southland Conference, South Alabama is 52-51 all-time against the conference and 1-2 against the SLC this season.
 
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).