MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama volleyball team will hit the road for a pair of Sun Belt Conference East Division matches this weekend.

USA (11-12, 5-5 Sun Belt) will face Sun Belt East Division leader Appalachian State (15-7, 7-3 Sun Belt) on Fri., Oct. 26, at 5:30 p.m. (CT) in Boone, N.C., at Holmes Convocation Center to open the weekend, and will square off with Coastal Carolina (7-11, 6-4 Sun Belt) on Sun., Oct. 28, at 11:30 a.m. (CT) in Conway, S.C., at The HTC Center.

South Alabama leads the Sun Belt in service aces per set (1.36) in league matches, and ranks second in hitting percentage (.222). Ashlyn Roberts ranks second in the Sun Belt in service aces per set (0.36) in conference contests, while Arissa Chappell ranks seventh (0.31) and Kelley Hartman 10th (0.28). Morgan Stalcup ranks second in hitting percentage (.424) in league matches.

The Jaguars enter Friday's match at App State having won three of their last four matches after splitting a pair of contests last weekend in Mobile. USA fell to Texas State in four sets last Friday before defeating UT Arlington in four sets on Saturday. South Alabama is 3-6 in road matches this season, but has won two straight entering Friday's match and three of their last four road contests.

App State defeated Coastal Carolina twice last weekend, sweeping the Chanticleers in Boone on Friday before earning a five-set win on Sunday in Conway. The Mountaineers are 5-3 at home this season, and carry a four-match home winning streak into Friday's match with the Jaguars. App State ranks second in the conference in assists per set (12.79), kills per set (13.66) and service aces per set (1.50). Emma Reilly ranks second in the league in service aces per set (0.39) and digs per set (4.42), while Emma Longley ranks third in kills per set (3.73). 

Coastal Carolina enters the weekend 4-1 in home matches after suffering their first home loss of the season last weekend to App State. CCU defeated Georgia Southern in straight set Tuesday evening in Statesboro, Ga. The Chanticleers rank third in the conference in digs per set (15.62), but are 11th in the league in blocks per set (1.78). Anett Nemeth ranks second in the Sun Belt in kills per set (3.81), and Kyla Manning ranks sixth (3.13). 

South Alabama holds a 5-3 all-time series lead over App State, and has won the last four meetings dating back to 2016. USA swept the Mountaineers in Mobile last season, and earned a five-set win in Boone. Coastal Carolina holds a 4-1 all-time series lead over the Jaguars, and has won the last four meetings dating back to 2016.

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).

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