2017 Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Championship Central

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama volleyball team will open play at the 2017 Sun Belt Conference Championship this week in Jonesboro, Ark.

Fifth-seeded USA (17-9, 12-4  SBC) will open the tournament against No. 8 Troy (10-21, 4-12 SBC) Thu., Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at Convocation Center on the campus of Arkansas State University. Every match of the SBC Tournament will be broadcast live on ESPN3, and live stats will also be provided for each match. Links for live stream and live stats can be accessed by clicking volleyball under the 'Championships' at SunBeltSports.org. Links are also available through the Jaguar volleyball schedule page at USAJaguars.com. The winner of Thursday's match will face No. 4 Arkansas State at 7:30 p.m. Fri., Nov. 17. 

South Alabama defeated Troy in both matchups this season, earning a sweep in straight sets in Mobile in the first meeting before defeating the Trojans in four sets in Troy later in the season. The Trojans enter the tournament having dropped five of their last six matches, while the Jags have won two of their last three contests entering Thursday's tournament opener. South Alabama finished in second place in the SBC East Division, while the Trojans finished in fifth place in the division.

USA led the SBC in blocks per set (2.59) in the regular season, ranked second in the league in opponent hitting percentage (.161) and third in service aces (1.26). Kelley Hartman led the conference in blocks per set (1.29), and ranked fifth in hitting percentage (.322). Abby Baker finished the regular season ranked seventh in the league in digs per set (4.30).

In SBC contests, the Jags led the conference in blocks per set (2.67), ranked third in in opponent hitting percentage (.154) and fourth in hitting percentage (.218) and service aces per set (1.18). Hartman finished tied for second with teammate Morgan Stalcup for blocks per set (1.15) in league contests, ranked third in hitting percentage (.367) and fourth in service aces per set (0.26).

Troy led the conference in service aces per set (1.35), and ranked fourth in kills per set (12.69) to close the regular season; however, the Trojans ranked ninth in the league in hitting percentage (.181), 10th in opponent hitting percentage (.228) and last in the SBC in digs per set (12.14). Troy's Cheyenne Hayes finished the regular season tied for second in service aces per set (0.33), while Kiara Barrett ranked seventh with 0.27 service aces per set. 

In two matches against the Trojans this season, Hartman averaged 3.86 kills per set and posted a .524 hitting percentage on 42 total attacks, while also recording two assists, two service aces, six digs and eight total blocks for an average of 1.14 blocks per set. Kristina Alabastro averaged 2.71 kills per set along with 14 digs, one service ace and 11 total blocks for an average of 1.57 blocks per set. Stalcup averaged 2.00 kills per set and posted a .448 hitting percentage against the Trojans, in addition to 13 total blocks for an average of 1.86 blocks per set. The Jags recorded 24 total team blocks in their two matches with the Trojans this season.

South Alabama will be in search of its first SBC Tournament win since 1995 when it defeated New Orleans in four sets in Jonesboro. Thursday's contest will mark the first postseason match between USA and Troy. This year marks the Jaguars' fifth consecutive SBC Tournament appearance. USA holds a 43-27 all-time series lead over Troy.

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

Join the Rally Score Club, the volleyball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All donations to the Rally Score Club go directly to support the South Alabama volleyball program. For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/rallyscoreclub.