Mobile, Ala - South begins the 2023 campaign at home with the Jaguar Invitational presented by Hampton by Hilton at Providence Park from August 25-27. The Jaguars face Stephen F. Austin (Aug. 25th), Jackson State (Aug. 26th), and Tulane (Aug. 27th).
South Alabama is returning from a 2022 season where the team finished second in the West Division with an 18-13 overall record and 10-6 in conference play. The Jaguars return three players that received All-SBC honors from 2022, Fifth-year Hannah Maddux (First Team), Fifth-year Niki Capizzi (Second Team), and Senior Kailey Keeble (Second Team). Other notable accomplishments include going 10-1 at home, exemplifying a stellar 20-1 home record under Head Coach Jesse Ortiz.
Entering this season, the Jags earned plenty of preseason attention with Keeble being elected SBC Preseason Setter of the Year, and Keeble, Capizzi, and Maddux being named to the Preseason All-Conference Team, as well as the SBC Preseason Poll predicting South to win the West Division.
JAGUAR INVITATIONAL
This is the ninth Jaguar Invitational, and the first for all three of South's opponents.
Stephen F. Austin - This is the sixth meeting between USA and Stephen F. Austin. The Ladyjacks lead the series 5-1, and have won the last five meetings. The first meeting was Sept. 30, 1988, and the latest meeting was last year, in Nacogdoches, on Sept. 2, 2022 as part of the SFA Invitational. The Ladyjacks are coming off a 26-5 record from 2022.
Jackson State - The Jaguars lead the all-time series 12-2 going into their 15th matchup. USA has won the last two games in the series, with the last meeting between the two teams being the 2021 Hail State Invitational. Jackson State ended 2022 with a 13-17 record.
Tulane - The oldest and most historic series for South in this invitational is with Tulane. The Green Wave lead the all time series 28-6, winning 12 straight reaching back to 1990. The last time these two teams met was a 3-0 win for Tulane in the Hyatt Regency Georgia Tech Tournament in 2018. Tulane finished 9-22 last season.
Full Jaguar Invitational Schedule:
Friday, August 25
10 a.m. - SFA vs JSU
3 p.m. - JSU vs Tulane
6 p.m. - SFA at South Alabama
Saturday, August 26
12:30 p.m. - SFA vs Tulane
3 p.m. - JSU at South Alabama
Sunday, August 27
12 p.m. - Tulane at South Alabama
Concessions will be available throughout the tournament with only cash transactions available. All profit directly benefits the Jaguar Volleyball program.
FOLLOW THE JAGS
To stay up to date on everything South Alabama Volleyball, follow the Jags on Twitter (@SouthAlabamaVB), Facebook (SouthAlabamaAthletics), Instagram (SouthAlabamaVB), or visit the official home of South Alabama Athletics (usajaguars.com).
—USA—
