Box Score - South Alabama 3, Alabama State 0

MOBILE, Ala. – After a difficult day on Friday, the University of South Alabama volleyball team bounced back and swept Alabama State 3-0 (25-13, 25-10, 25-11) on Saturday morning at the Jaguar Classic held at Jag Gym.

“Yesterday, we talked about the fact that not coming prepared to play against a team is unacceptable,” South Alabama head coach Nicole Keshock said.  “No matter who we are playing, we always have to be prepared to put forth our best effort.  I was proud of the fact that with the short turnaround and recovery time, that our players came out ready to play today.  We tried to really focus on some technical things in our match and I was glad that we were able to get a lot of our players into the match.”

With the win, USA improves to 2-5 on the season and will next compete at the Nicholls Invitational on Sept. 10-11 in Thibodaux, La.  The Hornets fall to 1-3 on the year with the loss.

Juliana Almeida led all players with 15 kills.  In her 21 attempts, she didn’t commit an attack error and posted a career-best .714 hitting percentage.  Jenna Hassell and Samia Salomao also finished in double-figures in digs for USA with 12 and 10, respectively.

ASU was paced offensively by Brena Wheeler’s five kills.

SET ONE: South Alabama 25, Alabama State 13

As she has for most all of the tournament, Almeida helped spark the Jaguar offensive attack during the opening set versus the Hornets.  The senior outside hitter led the way during the opening frame, posting six kill on eight attacks.  Led by Almeida, USA took control of the set from the start, jumping out to a 10-2 advantage.  From that point on, South Alabama continued to hold the momentum and went on to take the 25-13 first-set victory after a Jennica Hagberg kill.

For the set, South Alabama recorded 17 kills on 36 attempts, while committing just four errors for a .361 attack percentage.

SET TWO: South Alabama 25, Alabama State 10

With South Alabama holding an 8-6 lead early in the second set, the Jags broke things open, pushing across eight of the next 10 points.  During the run Lea Thurm provide a pair of kills and Jordan McMullan recorded an ace – the third-straight match in which she has done so.  Down the stretch, Jag freshman Torlandria Jones slammed home three kills, including the final one to give South Alabama the 25-10 win.  Jones had five of her career-high seven kills during the second set.

Like the first set, South Alabama was very efficient in its offensive attack, as they posted 16 kills and hit .400 for the set.

SET THREE: South Alabama 25, Alabama State 11

In the third and final set, USA came out on fire and began the frame with an 11-0 run.  The Hornets didn’t record their first point of the set until a Jaguar serving error. South Alabama cruised the rest of the way and went on to clinch the match with the 25-11 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).