CLEMSON, S.C. - South Alabama takes on the first road trip of the season, beginning Friday, Sep. 1, in a neutral site matchup vs Green Bay.
Coming off a three game home sweep in the Jaguar Invitational presented by Hampton by Hilton at Providence Park, the Red and Navy will compete at Jervey Gym, home of the Clemson Tigers.
OPPONENT HISTORY
- South is slated to play Green Bay on September 1, at 2 p.m., which is the first time that these programs will meet. Green Bay finished 2022 with a record of 23-11 and third place in the Horizon League.
- The Jaguars' series with Clemson is an even 2-2 going into the invitational. The first meeting between the two programs was in 1985, with a Clemson victory, and the most recent contest ended in South's favor in 2017 as a part of the War Eagle Invitational.
- The fourth meeting between the Jaguars and Catamounts. The first meeting in 1993 was a Jaguar victory, but WCU leads the all-time series, 2-1. The most recent meeting was exactly 20 years before this year's matchup, Sept. 3, 2003.
STORYLINES
- Balanced team production has been a commonality among the Jaguars' first three games, with three different players already tallying double doubles, Niki Capizzi (kills and blocks), Kailey Keeble (assists and digs), and Maddie Soboleski (kills and digs).
- The verticality of the front line has been impressive, with USA being ranked 12th in the country in team total blocks (34.0), and placing 23rd nationally in blocks per set (3.09).
- USA ranks among the best in the nation when it comes to assist production, led by Senior Kailey Keeble, who currently ranks 3rd in the nation with 12.09 kills per set. The Jags are currently 7th nationally in assists per set (14.27) and 14th in team assists (157).
- Non-stop pressure from the offense has shown to put opponents on their heels on multiple occasions already this season. The Jaguars are Top-25 in kills per set (11th, 15.09) and team kills (18th, 166).
- Keeble and Capizzi both earned conference accolades, with Keeble being selected Sun Belt Setter of the Week, and Capizzi voted Sun belt Defensive Player of the Week. Both players are ranked in the top three nationally, Capizzi (2nd), in blocks per set, with 2.18, and Keeble (3rd), in assists per set, with 12.09.
All games will have live stats available to keep up with each match. South Alabama at Clemson will be available to stream on ACCNX on ESPN.com.
Live stats for Green Bay
Live stats for Clemson
Live stream for Clemson
Live stats for Western Carolina
COMPLETE INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE
Friday, Sep. 1
12 p.m. - South Alabama vs Green Bay
4 p.m. - Western Carolina at Clemson
Saturday, Sep. 2
1 p.m. - Western Carolina vs Green Bay
5 p.m. - South Alabama at Clemson
Sunday, Sep. 3
10:30 a.m. - Western Carolina vs South Alabama
2 p.m. - Green Bay at Clemson
COACH ORTIZ ON THE CLEMSON INVITATIONAL
"Yeah, Clemson. That tournament should be pretty good. Obviously Clemson is very physical, Wisconsin-Green Bay, that's a great team right there, and so is Western Carolina. I think it's gonna be a good one. We have to really lick our wounds here and try to prepare ourselves as best as we can get a little rest in and get out there and try to battle some more and get some dubs."
UP NEXT
South will travel to Tallahassee to participate in the FAMU Tournament, facing FAMU on Sept. 7, at 5 p.m., Georgia Tech Sept. 8, 2 p.m., and Stetson on Sept. 9, at 10 a.m.
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—
