Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama volleyball team defeated Nicholls State in straight sets (25-13, 25-16, 25-14) Saturday at Jag Gym to claim the South Alabama Invitational title.

The win extended the Jaguars' home win streak to seven matches. USA swept through the tournament, winning each of its three matches in straight sets. Jaguar outside hitter Meaghan Jones was named the tournament's most valuable player, while Iva Durdanovic and Kelley Hartman were named to the all-tournament team along with Kaitlyn Adams (Louisiana Tech), Madeline Davis (Louisiana Tech), Ryleigh Taylor (Bethune-Cookman) and Emily Gauthreaux (Nicholls State).

South Alabama (8-5) will return to action Fri., Sept. 27, when it hosts Arkansas State at 6:30 p.m. at Jag Gym to open Sun Belt Conference play.
 
GAME FACTS
- USA erased a one-point deficit early in the opening set with a 3-0 scoring run on kills by Hannah Harris and Iva Durdanovic, and a block-assist by Harris and Kelley Hartman to take a 9-7 lead. A 4-0 run, aided by a trio of Nicholls State errors, pushed the Jaguar lead to 13-8. USA held a five-point lead at 18-13 before a 5-0 Jaguar scoring run increased the South Alabama advantage to 23-13. The Jags earned set point at 24-13 on a kill by Durdanovic, and clinched the set 25-13 on a kill by Harris to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
- South Alabama scored five of the first six points in set two, aided by a 4-0 scoring run that featured kills by Hartman and Lillie Fromdahl, and a service ace by Durdanovic, to take a 5-1 lead. The Jags doubled their lead at 12-6 following a kill by Durdanovic. USA earned set point at 24-16 on a block-assist by Hannah Johnson and Harris, and clinched the set 25-16 on a kill by Hartman to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
- South Alabama jumped out to a 6-1 lead in set three, which included a 4-0 scoring run to open the set. USA earned set point at 24-14 on a Colonel attack error, and clinched the match 25-14 on a solo block by Hannah Maddux.

NOTES
- The Jaguars recorded a .448 team hitting percentage in the opening set, and finished with a .361 hitting percentage in the match.
- Harris finished with a game-high nine kills, .346 hitting percentage, one service ace, four digs and two block-assists.
- Jones recorded eight kills, .333 hitting percentage, two service aces, eight digs and one block assist.
- Hartman added seven kills, .538 hitting percentage, two service aces, two digs, one solo block and three block assists.
- Ashlyn Roberts finished with a game-high 13 digs, and also added two assists,
- Lillie Fromdahl recorded a game-high 25 assists, four kills, eight digs and two block-assists.

QUOTES
Head Coach Alexis Meeks-Rydell
- On the win:
"I think we could have cleaned it up a little bit in the first set; I thought we started a little slow, especially on the defensive end. Our blocking was doing a really good job, and we were just missing easy digs. We cleaned it up and started to dig a few more balls, then went on a little run. Our momentum carries when we make really good defensive plays and translate that into a score. One thing that stands out is we only had three hitting errors that entire match, and that's not something we normally do. But I think yesterday kind of proved to them that it's not always about hitting the ball as hard as you can, and there are other ways to score in volleyball."

- On the team's progression entering conference play:
"I definitely think we have grown every week, and ultimately that is what's most important. We started off really rough in Fort Wayne (Ind.), but we played three really good teams up there. Then we got a little bit better at our first home tournament, and translated that into another really good tournament at Kennesaw (State). To come out and sweep all three matches this weekend shows that we're still growing. Next weekend is not going to be easy; Arkansas State is doing really well right now, and Little Rock is always a good program. Thankfully we are at home, so I think us winning these three matches and still growing every weekend. We are starting to feel comfortable in our own gym. We're 7-0 at home right now, which is what you want, and I am hoping that will translate into next weekend. Our conference is not easy in the slightest bit, so being 8-5 gives us a little confidence right now. We definitely can do it when we're on our home floor, and we competed on the road, but have to do better. I think once we pull off a couple of wins on the road in the next couple of weeks, hopefully, that will translate as well."

UP NEXT
South Alabama will return to action Fri., Sept. 27, when it hosts Arkansas State at 6:30 p.m. at Jag Gym to open Sun Belt Conference play.

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.