Match 22: vs. Troy Match Notes (.pdf)MOBILE, Ala. – After playing just one match last week, things will be much busier this week for the University of South Alabama volleyball team as it is scheduled to have three matches in a six-day span. USA will open up its busy schedule Tuesday night when it host in-state Sun Belt Conference rival Troy at 6 p.m. at Jag Gym.
South Alabama head coach Amy Hendrichovsky and the rest of her team are taking the busy schedule this week in stride.
"With three matches this week our team will approach each match with equal importance and take one day at a time," Hendrichovsky said.
Live stats and web streaming for the match can be accessed at www.USAJaguars.com. Fans can also keep up with in-match updates by following action on the program's twitter account @USA_Jags_VB.
The match versus Troy will also be South Alabama's Bleed it RED Night. All fans are encouraged to wear red to the match versus the Trojans. There will also be a red rally towel giveaway to fans in attendance.
South Alabama (12-9, 6-4 SBC) comes into play this week sitting in fourth place in the league standings after picking up a thrilling 3-2 victory over Texas State in Mobile on Saturday. The frontline defense came up big for the Jaguars in the five-set victory as USA held a 16.0 to 6.0 block advantage at the net.
The defensive play at the net has been key for the Jaguars as of late as over the last 10 matches, USA has had 105 total blocks and averaged 2.44 blocks per set, compared to just 80.5 total blocks and a 1.87 bps average in the first 11 matches of the season.
"We have found some coaching cues that really helped the group execute successfully at the net," Hendrichovsky said. "(Assistant coach) Jordana (Price) has focused quite a bit of time on blocking with our middles and they are improving each week. Obviously this improvement has helped us find an edge at the net and with our success."
With the win versus the Bobcats, South Alabama has now won seven of its last 10 matches, including six of its last eight in Sun Belt action. The five-set match for the Jags was their eighth of the season and fourth in SBC play. South Alabama is now 5-3 overall and 3-1 in those matches this season.
The match versus the Trojans will be one of three for the club this week as USA will travel to Georgia State and Appalachian State this weekend.
Mechell Daniel ranks third in the conference offensively with 316 kills and a 3.67 kills per set average. In conference play, the Chelmsford, England, native has been even better, averaging 4.07 kps and hitting .296. Daniel's nine double-doubles lead the club. The junior outside hitter is averaging 2.37 digs per set and ranks third on the team with 51 total blocks.
Middle blocker Nikki Gittens enters play this week, averaging 2.20 kills per set and is hitting .286. Gittens and fellow middle blocker Sara Richardson have been outstanding at the net defensively for the Jaguars this season. Richardson and Gittens have combined for 168 total blocks.
Richardson leads the Jags with 86 blocks and ranks eighth in the SBC with 1.00 bps. Gittens is close behind her with 82 blocks on the year for a 0.95 bps. In their last outing, Richardson posted eight total blocks - two solo and six assists - while Gittens had five block assists.
Coming into the match, Richardson also ranks among the conference leaders in hitting as her .294 attack percentage is 10th-best in the SBC.
As a team, South Alabama ranks fourth in digs (15.31) and is also tied for fourth with Little Rock in hitting percentage (.207).
Senior defensive specialist Emily Hundt has been instrumental in leading the Jaguar defense in the back row this season. The setter turned libero is averaging just under four digs per set with 3.95, which ranks eighth in the conference. In Sun Belt play, Hundt is averaging 4.83 per set.
Troy enters play this week with a 13-12 overall record and a 6-5 mark in Sun Belt action to place them in a three-way tie with UT Arlington and Little Rock for fifth place in the conference standings. In their last outing, the Trojans had their eight-match win streak snapped after suffering a 3-1 loss to Texas State at home. Troy managed to only hit .067 in the match, while allowing the Bobcats to hit .367 as a team.
Versus Texas State, senior middle blocker Darby Griff record two blocks in the first set to become Troy's career blocks leader. It also made Griff the first Trojan in 20 years to post back-to-back 100 block seasons.
Offensively, Troy is averaging 11.56 kills per set and hitting .172, while holding its opponents to a .172 attack percentage, which ranks third in the Sun Belt.
Senior outside hitter Blair Winston sits just outside the Sun Belt leaders in kills with 2.99 kps. Winston's 281 kills this season lead the club.
Griff is sixth in the league in blocks, averaging 1.02 per set. She leads the club with 100 total blocks, which are currently 45th-most in the NCAA. Sara Landis is second on the Troy roster in that same category with 85 blocks, while fellow junior Leah Causey is close behind her with 70. As a team, the Trojans are averaging 2.09 blocks per set.
In the backcourt, senior libero Ali Dowdall ranks fifth in the SBC in digs. The Davison, Mich., native has 465 entering play this week and is averaging 4.74 per set. Her 465 digs are 15th-most in the NCAA entering play this week and she ranks 55th nationally in digs per set.
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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