Match Notes

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama volleyball team will host Stephen F. Austin in a pair of matches Sat., Sept. 26, in its 2020 home opener at Jaguar Gym.

Match one will begin at 11 a.m., while the final match is scheduled for a 3 p.m. first serve. Both matches will be broadcast live and available through ESPN+, and can be accessed through the WatchESPN app or via links through the Jaguar volleyball schedule page. Live stats for every Jaguar match are available through the multimedia section of USAJaguars.com, as well as through the volleyball schedule page.

Capacity for each match will be capped at 180 fans on a first-come, first-serve basis. Face masks are also required for attendance. Concessions will not be available. 

South Alabama (0-2) will be in search of its first win of the season after dropping a pair of non-conference matches at Louisiana Sept. 11-12 in Lafayette, Louisiana, to open the season. 

Rachel Hickey enters the weekend as the Sun Belt Conference leader in digs per set (6.50), and ranks tied for third in service aces per set (0.33). Maddie Soboleski ranks tied for third in the conference in service aces per set (0.33), and ranks fourth in assists per set (8.50). Hannah Maddux also ranks tied for third in service aces per set (0.33), and is seventh in the league in kills per set (3.00). Freshman Rebecca Walk ranks tied for ninth in the Sun Belt in hitting percentage (.304).

SFA (5-1) carries a four-match win streak into the weekend after sweeping a tournament it hosted Sept. 11-12 in Nacogdoches, Texas. The Ladyjacks average 12.10 kills per set, 14.76 digs per set and 2.29 blocks per set. 

The all-time series between USA and SFA is tied 1-1 entering the weekend. The Jaguars won the first meeting between the schools in 1988 in Jonesboro, Arkansas, while the Ladyjacks evened the series with a four-set win in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1990, which marked the last meeting between the schools.

South Alabama is 1-0 in home openers under head coach Alexis Meeks-Rydell after defeating Tennessee State in five sets to open the home schedule last season. 

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.