MOBILE, Ala. – After playing the first two weeks of the season on the road, the University of South Alabama volleyball team will return home Tuesday night to host Nicholls State in its home opener.  

“We’ve been on the road the past two weeks, so it’ll be nice to come home,” South Alabama head coach Amy Hendrichovsky said.  “Players usually get pretty excited and play with more adrenaline, especially with in the first home match.  I’m just hoping that our players stay composed and are ready to perform.”

First serve versus NSU is set for 7 p.m. at Jag Gym.  Live stats for the match versus the Colonels can be accessed at www.USAJaguars.com.  

The Jaguars come into the contest versus the Colonels with a 2-4 record.  Over the weekend, USA dropped its three matches at the Active Ankle Challenge, falling 3-1 to Southern Illinois and 3-0 to tournament host Saint Louis.  

One of the key stats over the weekend was the defensive play at the net.  After averaging averaged 2.09 blocks per set during the first weekend of action, South Alabama was out-blocked by its opponents in all three matches, averaging 1.41 bps, while allowing 3.18 bps to its opponents.  

One bright spot for the Jags over the weekend was the play of freshman outside hitter Savannah Stewart.  For the weekend, Stewart led the Jaguars with 33 kills and averaged 3.00 per set.  Stewart also recorded a career-best 18 kills on Saturday versus Valparaiso.  For the season, she ranks second on the club with 2.59 kills per set – just behind Melissa Waelter’s 2.63.  Seniors Olivia Mohler and Lindsay Schwartz have also provided an offensive punch for USA this season as both are averaging 2.36 kps.

Mohler also leads the club in hitting percentage (.352) and blocks (0.91).  Torlandria Jones has also been extremely efficient, registering a .330 attack percentage.

Junior libero Jenna Hassell also continued her strong play over the weekend as the Niceville, Fla., native earned her second all-tournament honors of the Fall after averaging 4.91 digs per set in USA’s three matches.  She also posted a season-high 23 digs versus Valparaiso.  For the year, Hassell leads the club in that category with 4.59 dps.

Nicholls State enters Tuesday evening’s match after battling through a tough week away from the court.  Thibodaux, La., the home of the Colonels, was hit hard last week by hurricane Isaac.  NSU was originally scheduled to host a tournament this past weekend, but due to damage suffered in the storm, the tourney was canceled.

The Colonels posted a 1-3 record during the opening weekend of the season at the Missouri Tiger Invitational, falling 3-0 to Michigan, Virginia Tech and Missouri, while picking up a 3-2 victory over North Florida.

Seniors Jennifer Brandt and Sarah Terry lead the way offensively for Nicholls as the duo is averaging 2.50 and 2.21 kills per set, respectively.  

Brooke Hopper and Jasmine Harris have also been strong behind the service line.  Hopper leads the club with 0.55 aces per set, while Harris comes in just behind her with 0.45.  As a team, NSU is averaging 1.2 per set.

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: South Alabama holds a 17-14 advantage in the all-time series…The Colonels have won the previous three meetings in the series…USA holds a 55-53 record against current members of the Southland Conference…South Alabama has already faced one opponent from the league this season, falling to Central Arkansas at the Southern Miss Invitational…Junior libero Jenna Hassell comes into the match just eight digs behind of Beverly Ferren – who ranks seventh on South Alabama’s career dig list…Senior middle blocker Olivia Mohler also enters the match versus NSU looking to climb a career chart as she is tied for 10th on USA’s career block assists list.

-- USA --