MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama volleyball team will host Southern Mississippi at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Jag Gym.

USA (5-1) carries a three-game winning streak into the match after sweeping the Jaguar Invitational last weekend in Mobile following wins over Southeastern Louisiana, Florida International and Florida A&M. The Jags enter the week tied with Coastal Carolina for the best overall record in the Sun Belt Conference. South Alabama is off to its best start since beginning the 1980 season 9-0. 

USA holds a 26-20 all-time lead over USM in a series that dates back to 1975. The Golden Eagles defeated the Jaguars in five sets last year in Hattiesburg, Miss., and have won three of the last four matches dating back to 2009.

South Alabama ranks second in the SBC in hitting percentage (.237) and service aces per set (1.83), and is fifth in the league in blocks per set (2.09).

Freshman Iva Durdanovic ranks second in the Sun Belt in service aces per set (0.50), while Sarah Richardson ranks fourth in blocks per set (1.21) and fifth in hitting percentage (.374). Abby Baker ranks seventh in the conference in digs per set (3.70), and Ashlyn Roberts is seventh in the league in service aces per set (0.43).

USM (6-1) enters the match with a four-game winning streak after defeating Connecticut and Virginia in straight sets last Friday, followed by a 3-1 win over Louisiana State on Saturday. The Golden Eagles' lone loss came in a five-set match to Tulane on Aug. 27.

Stephany Purdue leads Southern Miss in kills (111) and kills per set (4.44), and ranks second on the team in digs per set (2.28) and total blocks (19).

Tuesday's match will be streamed live and available at JagNationTV.com, while live stats will be provided at USAJaguars.com.

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).