South Alabama 3, Southeastern Louisiana 0 (Box Score)
MOBILE, Ala. – Outside hitters Samia Salomao and Juliana Almeida each recorded double-figure kill tallies Thursday evening as the University of South Alabama volleyball team swept Southeastern Louisiana (25-20, 25-23, 25-12) in the opening match of the Jaguar Classic held at Jag Gym. The duo led USA with 14 and 11 kills, respectively, while also finishing with seven and six digs.
“The crowd for us was amazing tonight,” South Alabama head coach Nicole Keshock said. “This was by far the best crowd that we have ever had for a home match. We seemed to be more relaxed and more in sync (playing in front of our home crowd). I really believe this team is going to continue to get better every time we play. (Juliana and Samia) really played well tonight for us. They played well in the back row for us tonight and they served with no fear and took a lot of risk. I am proud of both of them.”
South Alabama (1-3) will return to the court for a pair of matches on Friday, beginning with Alabama A&M at 3 p.m. followed by UNC-Asheville at 7 p.m. The Lions (3-2) were paced offensively by Allison Jones’ 12 kills.
SET ONE: South Alabama 25, Southeastern Louisiana 20
In the opening set with USA holding a slim 10-9 advantage, Almeida helped the Jags break things open and ignite an 8-1 run over the next nine points. The senior outside hitter from San Jose Dos Campos, Brazil scored South Alabama’s first four points slamming home two kills and recording two aces. Southeastern Louisiana attempted to chip away at the Jaguar lead and narrowed the deficit to three (19-16) after an attack error by USA.
That was as close as the Lions were able to get the rest of the first set as South Alabama took the early 1-0 lead in the match with the 25-20 victory.
SET TWO: South Alabama 25, Southeastern Louisiana 23
Set two proved to be a tight affair throughout with the frame seeing the two clubs tied 14 times and exchanging the lead on eight occasions. With the Lions holding a one-point advantage at 22-21, Almeida recorded her seventh kill of the match to tie the contest and on the next point the Jaguars reclaimed the lead for good on a Southeastern Louisiana ball handling error. Almeida and Jillian Jordan later combined to turn away a Lion attack and give USA the 25-23 lead.
SET THREE: South Alabama 25, Southeastern Louisiana 12
In the third set, South Alabama again used an early run to break things open. Tied at 3-3, Almeida ignited another scoring spurt for the Jags that proved to be the difference, this one a 15-3 run that put USA out in front for good. Almeida and Mohler led the scoring for South Alabama during the run with two kills apiece. Salomao then slammed home three of her career-high 14 kills down the stretch and sealed the 25-12 victory.
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).
NOTES: Samia Salomao’s 14 kills were a new career-best for the junior outside hitter…The .286 hitting percentage by the Jags was also a season-high for the club.
