Match 12: vs. Alabama State Match Notes (.pdf)MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama volleyball team will close out its six-match homestand when the Jaguars host Alabama State Tuesday night at Jag Gym. First serve versus the Hornets set for 6 p.m.
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.
South Alabama (5-6, 0-2 SBC) enters the midweek match up versus Alabama State after falling at home to Arkansas State and Appalachian State over the weekend. The Jaguars fell in straight-sets to the Red Wolves on Friday night and then lost in four to the Mountaineers on Saturday.
The Jaguars will look at this midweek non-conference match as an opportunity to correct things from this past weekend.
"Our team knows what it takes for us to play composed, consistent and compete for every point," South Alabama head coach Amy Hendrichovsky said. "They also know what we need to do this week in order to do that. Our match versus Alabama State is a great opportunity for us to get on the court and get better at these things moving on through Sun Belt play."
Mechell Daniel led the club offensively in the two matches with 23 kills for a 3.29 kills per set average. Daniel leads the Jaguars in that same category on the year with 3.33 kills per set, which is tied for seventh with Drew Jones from App State. Daniel has three double-doubles on the year and has led USA in kills in nine of the 11 matches.
Nikki Gittens is second in kills with 91 kills and 2.12 kps. The redshirt junior middle blocker is hitting .274 on the year.
Fellow middle blocker Sarah Richardson ranks third in the Sun Belt in hitting percentage as she hitting .374. Richardson and Gittens pace the Jaguars at the net defensively. Richardson has 39 blocks this season, including eight solo blocks, while Gittens is right behind her with 38 total blocks.
Senior defensive specialist Emily Hundt moved back into the libero role for South Alabama over the weekend and averaged 4.14 digs per set in the two conference matches. Hundt's 3.12 dps average leads the Jags.
Alabama State enters play this week with a 4-9 record through its first 13 matches of the season. This past weekend, the Hornets recorded a 1-2 record at the UCA Volleyball Crain Automotive Invitational, falling to the host Sugar Bears and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, but picking up a four-set win over Louisiana Tech.
Rachel Smith leads the Hornets with 91 kills (1.95 kps) on the year. Myla Marshall (1.85 kps) and Kimeko Bennett (1.79 kps) are right behind Smith in that same category. Marshall has 89 kills, while K. Bennett enters the match with 86.
Marshall is hitting .243 this season and leads the club defensively at the net with 54 total blocks. She is averaging 1.12 blocks per set.
Amber Bennett has also been outstanding defensively at the net as she has 46 blocks and is averaging 1.07 per set.
Scout Wonsang leads the club defensively in the back court with 3.34 digs per set. Wonsang has a team-high 147 digs this season.
The Hornets lead the SWAC in hitting percentage and opponent's hitting percentage, kills, assists and blocks. They are also second in the conference in aces. Alabama State has 116 total blocks this season and is averaging 2.37 blocks per set.
Tuesday's meeting will mark the 27th in the all-time series between South Alabama and Alabama State and first since the 2011 season. The Jaguars hold a 23-3 record in the series and have won the last 16 meetings. South Alabama also holds a 12-1 record in the series on its home floor.
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).
—USA—
