Active Ankle Tournament Notes (.pdf)

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama volleyball team will look to build onto its momentum after the opening weekend of action when the Jaguars head to St. Louis, Mo., to compete in the Active Ankle Challenge this weekend hosted by Saint Louis University.  

“There are a few things that we need to focus on individually in practice this week, but we are going to try and use the momentum that we built this past weekend to continue to improve,” South Alabama  head coach Amy Hendrichovsky said.  “I hope this weekend that we gain some experience against teams that traditionally have had successful volleyball programs.”

USA will open up with tournament action on Friday at 4:30 when they take on Southern Illinois and then return on Saturday for a pair of matches against Valparaiso at 10 a.m. and the host Billikens at 7 p.m.  All three matches will be held at Chaifetz Pavillion.

Live stats can be accessed for all three of South Alabama’s matches at www.USAJaguars.com.  

The Jaguars come into their second tournament of the non-conference season looking to carry over momentum.  USA opened the 2012 campaign last weekend with a 2-1 performance at the Southern Miss Invitational.  South Alabama dropped its first round contest to Central Arkansas (3-1), but rebounded to take its final two of the tourney, picking up a 3-0 win over Southern Miss and a 3-1 victory over Louisiana Tech.  The 2-1 start for the program is its best start to a season since the 2009 season in which USA began the year with a 3-0 mark.

Through the first three matches, the Jaguars have used a balanced attack offensively as four players are averaging two kills or more.  Olivia Mohler and Melissa Waelter led the way with each averaging 2.91 per set this season.  Lindsay Schwartz is close behind them with 2.73, while Savannah Stewart is averaging 2.18 per set.  Torlandria Jones sits just outside of averaging two kills per set as she is registering 1.80.

Mohler and Jones rank first and second, respectively, in hitting percentage in the Sun Belt.  Mohler is hitting .443, while Jones is hitting .400 after the opening weekend of play.  Mohler also ranks third in the SBC in blocks with 1.36.  Stewart ranks among the league leaders as the freshman is fourth in the league in service aces (0.45).  Junior libero Jenna Hassell has been solid in the back court as she is snagging 4.27 digs per frame.  

As a team, USA ranks second in the league in kills (13.09) and third in both hitting percentage (.228) and assists (12.36).  Jag setter Katariina Kananen leads the Sun Belt in the latter category.

Southern Illinois began the 2012 campaign this past weekend with a 2-1 showing at the Memphis Invitational in Memphis, Tenn.  The Salukis began the tournament with 3-1 loss to Eastern Michigan, but bounced back with a pair of 3-0 victories over Memphis and Austin Peay.  SIU - who is led by first-year head coach Justin Ingram - was picked to finish sixth in the Missouri Valley in the preseason poll.  Ingram spent the previous three seasons at Arkansas State where he guided the Red Wolves to three-straight Sun Belt West Division titles.

“Southern Illinois is probably in the same boat that we are in,” Hendrichovsky stated.  “They have a new coach this season and kind of have the same newness that we do.  I’m sure they’re gearing towards a great season.”

Through the first three matches of the season, SIU has shown to be extremely balanced offensively as four players are averaging 2.78 kills or better, including three over 3.3.  Junior outside hitter Jessica Whitehead leads the way with 3.90 kps, while Laura Thole (3.70) and Alysia Mayes (3.30) also rank in the top eight in the league in that same category.  Mayes is also third in the MVC hitting with a .491 clip.

On the defensive side of the net, senior libero Bailey Yeager has led the way in the back court with 5.20 digs per set - tops in the conference.  SIU leads the MVC in both kills and digs, while also ranking third in the league in aces.

Valparaiso enters the Billiken tournament with a 2-2 mark after opening the season at the Hawkeye Challenge.  The Crusaders picked up wins against Chicago State (3-0) and South Dakota State (3-2), but fell 3-1 to both Iowa and Southeast Missouri.  Valpo was picked to finish third in the preseason Horizon League poll.

“Valparaiso of the Horizon League has traditionally been one of the top teams in their conference and has been playing some solid volleyball recently,” Hendrichovsky said.

The Crusaders have four players averaging over two kills per set.  Leading the way is sophomore Megan Beil with 2.67 per set.  Close behind her are Kelsey Victor (2.47) and Sara Dooms (2.12).  

Defensively, Valparaiso is paced in the back court by two-time Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year Taylor Root.  Root - who picked up preseason all-conference honors earlier this month - second-best in the conference.

As a team, the Crusaders’ 1.44 aces per set average rank second in the Horizon, while their 17.5 digs per set are third highest.

Saint Louis comes into its home tournament with a 0-3 mark.  The Billikins have been tested early on as they dropped a pair of 3-0 decision this past weekend at the Husker Classic.  SLU fell in straight-sets to No. 4 Nebraska on Friday and then to Notre Dame on Saturday.  The Billikens also fell 3-0 Monday evening in their home opener against Santa Clara.

“Saint Louis has kind of become a powerhouse in Division I volleyball over the past eight years,” Hendrichovsky said.  “They’ve been competing at a high level during that time and I look for that to continue this year.”

Red shirt sophomore outside hitter Lauren Baumet leads the club offensively with 2.00 kps.  Grace Bonoma comes into the tournament averaging 3.78 dps, which ranks eighth in the Atlantic 10.  She had 13 digs against the Fighting Irish on Saturday and 12 against Santa Clara.

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: The 2-1 start is the best for the Jaguars since beginning the 2009 season with a 3-0 mark…The meeting this weekend between South Alabama and Southern Illinois will mark the first between the two programs…Against current members of the Missouri Valley, USA holds an all-time record of 1-2…The match with Valparaiso will mark the second meeting between the two schools and the fourth time USA has faced a current Horizon League opponent…The Jaguars hold a 1-0 in the all-time series with the only other meeting in the series coming back during the 1988 season…The Jags hold a 2-1 all-time mark versus the Horizon…The match with Saint Louis will mark first between the two schools and the 29th for the Jags against an Atlantic 10 opponent…South Alabama holds a 12-16 all-time mark versus A10 opponents…The only meetings versus teams from the league came against former Sun Belt members Charlotte and VCU.

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