Date: 10/22
Position: Forwards/Centers
Position Coach: Yolisha Jackson

Returning Letterwinners (Key stats): Taylor Jenkins, Sr. (4.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 22 blks), Chyna Ellis (8.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 56 blks, 41.1 FG%), LaNeetra Guillory (2.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 14 blks)

Letterwinners lost (Key stats): Grace Farnsworth (2.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg), Simonne Potts (3.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg), Emorie Cote (0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg)

Newcomers (Yr., Previous school): Christen Carter (Fr., The Bolles School), Erin Autio (R-Fr., St. Michael – Albertville High School), India Hall (Fr., Brentwood Academy)

Miscellaneous Notes
- Taylor Jenkins returns as the lone upperclassman at the position on the '15-16 roster.
- The Jaguars welcome two true freshmen (Christen Carter and India Hall) and a redshirt freshman (Erin Autio) in the post.
- Sophomore Chyna Ellis was named to the preseason all-Sun Belt Conference third team earlier this week.
- Ellis set a new freshman blocks record at South Alabama a season ago.  Her 56 blocks rank fifth on the single-season chart.
- South Alabama returns 101 of the 121 (83.5%) block production from a year ago.

Head Coach Terry Fowler
-On where he has seen the most improvement during the offseason in Chyna Ellis: "With Chyna, it starts with her conditioning level.  She's basically transformed her body and she's really gotten herself in really good physical condition.  I would also say that she has come to practice with a workman-like approach.  She comes in and does her job.  She also stays after practice and gets up extra shots. She has a business-like approach in practice this season."

-On how important the leadership of Taylor Jenkins will be in this group as she is the only upperclassman: "Taylor's leadership is crucial for us, because she needs to coach up the India Halls, the Christen Carters and Erin Autio.  At the same time, she's still got to be able to help LaNeetra Guillory and Chyna.  She needs to be the voice of the post players just through their daily work."

-On how the newcomers have made the adjustment to this level through this first part of fall camp: "The biggest adjustments for them are just the speed of the game, the conditioning and the physicality.  Erin Autio being a track athlete who has been in college athletics, she already has a good understanding of those things and what it takes.  For her, it's now about the adjustment to a new sport.  India Hall has shown the ability that she's going to be able to do some things for us, just because of her physicality.  She has a great skill set and played for an outstanding high school coach.  They are making strides every day and I'm pleased with their progress."

-On the growth of LaNeetra Guillory: "LaNeetra is more aggressive (in practice this season).  I think she has more confidence in her game.  She's another kid who is in the gym more than she was last year getting up more shots.  That's just part of playing college basketball heading into your second year.  Her raised confidence level is the biggest thing."

-On what he feels will be one of the main keys from this group in order for the team to be successful: "The post players are going to have to defend well and it always starts there.  They are going to also have to rebound the basketball for us.  As far as on offense, we need them to touch the ball in the paint and then make the appropriate decision whether it's to fan back out or make a post move."

Sophomore center Chyna Ellis
-On how being named third-team all-conference earlier this week: "I was shocked when I found out.  It's a big honor to receive that recognition since I'm only a sophomore.  I'm just ready to do more out on the court and keep improving."

-On what she feels will be a key for the post players in order for the team to be successful: "We need to be strong down in the post and finish at the rim.  We also need to box-out and rebound the ball.  We need to out-physical our opponents."

- On the biggest difference for her entering this season compared to last year: "Being a year into the program, I have a better understanding of what we want to accomplish and knowing my role on the team.  I'm focused on fulfilling my role and doing what I can to help this team, whether it's rebounding, scoring or doing whatever I need to do.  Going into last season, I didn't know what type of season I was going to have, but since I was able to achieve all of the things I did, I know I have to maintain that level of play and improve on it."

- On what she sees as her role on the team this season: "I feel like my role is to be one of the top rebounders on the team and become a go-to scorer.  I want coach (Terry Fowler) to be able to have the confidence to go to me when we need a score.  I also want to be a more vocal leader and encourage my teammates more."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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