MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama fans got a glimpse of the 2015 volleyball program Saturday evening as the Red team picked up a 3-1 (25-20, 21-25, 25-17, 25-19) win over the Blue squad in its annual Red vs. Blue Match held at Jag Gym.
Fourth-year Jaguar head coach Amy Hendrichovsky was pleased with what she out of both clubs in the match.
"Both sides competed for us tonight," Hendrichovsky said. "I think it was anyone's match tonight. We had good communication and there was tons of great defense and effort. The defense really stood out for me. It wasn't so much about the great swings, but rather the fact that people got after the ball and kept it going. There were some nerves early on for both sides, but for most of the match, I felt we executed pretty well on both sides."
Tonight's match also showcased something on this club that Hendrichovsky is excited to see.
"The thing that we know we have this year is depth. We're really excited about having the ability to rely on not just one our two players, but to have a whole crew on the court that we can rely on and trust. If there's someone having a bad day, there are players that can help them out in those situations."
South Alabama will now open the 2015 campaign at the BC Invitational hosted by ACC foe Boston College next weekend. USA take on the host Eagles on Friday, Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m. (CT) at Power Gym and then face Sacred Heart and Providence on Saturday, Aug. 29 with those match times set for Noon and 3:30 p.m. Both times are central.
The Red team was led offensively by three players who finished in double figures. Mechell Daniel registered a double-double with 15 kills and 14 digs, while Savannah Stewart also carded double digits in kills and digs, finishing with 14 kills and 15 digs.
"It was awesome to get out there and play tonight," Stewart said. "It's been a while since I've been able to really play. We had a lot of fun out there. I thought we looked pretty good out there tonight. We fought on both sides, it was back-and-forth the whole match, which was great. We're looking forward to the start of the season next weekend."
Nikki Gittens had 11 kills of her own for the Red team.
On the defensive side of the net for the Red squad, senior defensive specialist Emily Hundt had a match-high 20 digs. Daniel also had six total blocks – two solo and four assists.
Deanna Canfield and Kristina Alabastro paced the Blue team with 13 and 11 kills, respectively. Freshman Arissa Chappell had a team-high 12 digs.
The Red team came out and took the early match lead with a 25-20 first-set victory. The Red squad used a 7-0 run midway through the opening set to rally from a two-point deficit and hold on for the five-point victory.
The Blue squad evened the match at a set apiece in the next frame, picking up a 25-21 win. It was the Blue team that would rally from a two-point deficit midway through the set, rattling off a run of six-unanswered points en route to the four-point win.
In the third set, the Red team broke and 8-8 tie on a kill by Daniel to take the lead and never looked back, stretching its lead out to five points. Daniel later clinched the 25-18 third-set victory with another put away.
The Red team closed out the match with a six-point win in the fourth and final set, capturing a 25-19 victory. Holding a two-point lead late in the set, the Red team gained some breathing room following kills by Hundt and Katelyn Lochner.
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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