Box Score - South Alabama 3, Louisiana-Monroe 0

MONROE, La. – The University of South Alabama volleyball team used a balanced offensive attack Friday afternoon as the Jags opened up Sun Belt Conference play with a solid 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-17) victory over Louisiana-Monroe at the ULM Activity Center.  

The Jags (6-10, 1-0 SBC) had five players finish with six kills or more in the match and were led by Samia Salomao’s eight double-double of the season.  The junior outside hitter led the team with 10 kills and 16 digs in the win and has now recorded a double-double in six of South Alabama’s last eight matches.  Olivia Mohler also chipped in with eight kills, while Jillian Jordan had seven.  Juliana Almeida added six kills of her own to go along with her 16 digs, and freshman libero Jenna Hassell also finished in double-digits with 14 digs.

“Our offense finally came through today and did what we have been looking for it to do,” South Alabama head coach Nicole Keshock said.  “We are always looking to have about five players contribute offensively and we were able to get that against ULM.  Our middle blockers really did an outstanding job also today.  We have been working with them to try to make themselves an offensive option and today they did that.”

ULM (0-10, 0-1 SBC) was paced offensively by Blanca Ocana’s 10 kills, while Christy Tribble posted a match-high 29 digs for the Warhawks.  With the loss, Louisiana-Monroe has now lost 66-straight league matches.

USA will now head to Lafayette. La., to face Louisiana-Lafayette on Sunday at Earl K. Long Gym with first serve set for 1 p.m.  Live stats can be accessed at www.usajaguars.com.

SET ONE: South Alabama 25, Louisiana-Monroe 20

South Alabama led by as much as four early in the opening set following a kill from Jordan, but the Warhawks hung around and didn’t allow the Jags to extend their lead any further.  ULM kept battling its way back and tied the contest up at 14-14 after a kill from Mahogany Dilonga

Tied at 15-all, USA took the lead for good after a kill from Mohler and a service ace from Hassell.  From that point on, ULM was only able to get as close as one, before the Jags stretched their advantage out and took the early lead in the match with the 25-20 first-set victory.

Salomao led the way for South Alabama with five kills in the opening set, while Torlandria Jones also had four of her own. Stephanie Wardach had five kills for ULM in the first set.

As a team, the Jags came out on fire offensively, recording a .359 attack percentage in the set.

SET TWO: South Alabama 25, Louisiana-Monroe 16

In the second set, the Jag duo of Mohler and Jordan broke an early 4-4 tie when they posted back-to-back kills and then teamed up for turn back a Warhawk attack at the net to give USA a three-point lead.

ULM trimmed the deficit to one two points later after a service ace from Dilonga, but South Alabama answered right back with a big run as USA reeled off nine of the next 10 points and took a 16-7 lead on a kill from Almeida.  The Jaguar scoring spurt was keyed by Jones, who recorded a kill, a block assist and a solo block during the run.

Following the Jaguar run, Louisiana-Monroe was only able to get as close as five on one occasion.  Jordan and Almeida led the way offensively down the stretch for USA as the duo had three kills apiece over the Jags’ final eight points.

SET THREE: South Alabama 25, Louisiana-Monroe 17

In the third and final set, South Alabama took control from the start, opening up with a 7-1 run.  ULM battled back and closed the gap to two on a few of occasions, but holding a three-point lead, USA closed strong and ended the match on a 7-2 run en route to picking up the 25-17 set 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).