UALR 3, South Alabama 0 (.pdf)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – UALR’s frontline defense – which recorded nine solo blocks and 10 block assists – was too much Sunday afternoon as the University of South Alabama volleyball team fell in straight sets, 3-0, (18-25, 15-25, 20-25) to UALR at the Jack Stephens Center.  The Jags finished the match with just 3.0 total blocks, compared to 14.0 by the Trojans.

USA (7-9, 2-2 SBC) will continue its current four-match road trip next weekend when the Jags travel to take on Middle Tennessee on Friday.  First serve versus the Blue Raiders is set for 7 p.m. at Alumni Memorial Gym.  With the win, UALR improves to 7-12 overall and 2-3 in Sun Belt play.

“Unfortunately, we had one of our worst offensive performances of the season and I think there were a number of factors that contributed to that fact,” South Alabama head coach Nicole Keshock said.  “UALR is a really good team.  They have three very solid hitters that can get them a kill at any moment.  Their defense also really challenged us today.  With us having an injury and an illness at our outside hitting position, we really struggled at the spot today.  Our other starters have to learn how to be able to step it up when others are struggling or someone goes down.  We just didn’t do that.”

Senior outside hitter Samia Salomao missed the match after injuring her ankle against Arkansas State on Friday.  Freshman Melissa Waelter also played the match while battling the effects of a virus.

UALR was paced by Edina Begic’s 13 kills.  Paige Ganter added 10 kills of her own, while Eva Xie finished just outside double figures with nine kills.  As a team, the Trojans hit .308 (44-11-107).  Ganter was the leader at the net for the Jags with two solo blocks and four block assists.

Lea Thurm led South Alabama with 10 kills, while Valerie Podczasy chipped in with seven for the Jaguar offense.  Jenna Hassell recorded a match-high 16 digs in the loss for USA.

SET ONE: UALR 25, South Alabama 18

Over the first portion of the first set, the two clubs lead changed the lead six times and saw seven ties.  Tied at 13, the Trojans broke open the close contest with a 6-2 run over the next eight points to jump out to a four-point lead.  Begic and Paige Ganter capped off the run and gave UALR the 19-15 lead when the duo recorded a kill each.  

USA was able to trim the deficit to 20-18 after a kill from Thurm, but the Trojans would not allow the Jags to get any closer as they closed out the set with five unanswered points.  Marleen de Zoete registered a pair of aces, her second sealing the 25-18 first set victory.  

The Trojans came out hot offensively in the opening set, recording 13 kills on 24 attacks and committing just three errors for a .417 attack percentage. Ganter and Xie combined for nine of UALR’s 13 kills in the set.

SET TWO: UALR 25, South Alabama 15

In set two, UALR continued to hold momentum as the Trojans opened the frame with a quick 7-1 run, including five unanswered points to begin the set.  The mini early run was led by the duo of Allison Hein and Ganter.  Hein had a pair of kills, while Ganter had a kill of her own and an ace.  Ganter and Hein also combined for a block assists.

UALR took its largest lead of the third frame at 18-5 after an ace from Begic and the Trojans would go on to take the set, 25-15

SET THREE: UALR 25, South Alabama 20

Coming out of the intermission, South Alabama led early on at 8-4 after a pair of kills from Olivia Mohler and a block assists from the junior middle blocker, but UALR pushed across four-straight points and tied the contest up after a Begic put away.  

With USA leading 11-9, the Trojans answered with an 11-3 run over the next 14 points to take control of the match.  Ganter began the pivotal run for UALR with another kill.  Kristi Block then chipped in with three blocks over the duration of the run.  Begic added two kills of her own to give the Trojans a 20-14 advantage.  

South Alabama attempted to rally over the remainder of the set, getting close as four on four occasions, but that was as close as UALR would allow the Jags as the Trojans held on to take the set and the match with the 25-20 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: With the win, UALR is now 22-2 in the all-time series versus the Jags and 9-0 in the series in matches played in Little Rock.

-- USA --