MOBILE, Ala. - The University of South Alabama volleyball team will begin a three-match home stand Friday evening when the Jags host in-state rival Troy.  First serve versus the Trojans is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Jag Gym.  Following the match, USA will wrap up the 2009 regular season against Middle Tennessee (Nov. 13) and Western Kentucky (Nov. 14).

"We are excited about playing at home during the homecoming festivities and we are looking to redeem ourselves against Troy," South Alabama head coach Nicole Keshock said.  "The first time we played them, we weren't focused and didn't play well.  I'm looking for this match up to be more competitive."

The match versus Troy will be available via the web at www.usajaguars.com as part of the Jaguar Nation package.  Fans can subscribe to Jaguar Nation for either $7.95 a month or by purchasing an annual subscription for $69.95.  Admission is free.

South Alabama comes into the match up versus Troy looking to snap a six-match skid.  This past weekend, the Jags fell in straight sets both at Middle Tennessee and at Western Kentucky to drop to 11-16 on the season and 2-12 in the SBC. 

Juliana Almeida's 3.14 kills per set leads the team and ranks 10th in the Sun Belt, but against the Blue Raiders and the Lady Toppers, the junior outside hitter had just three kills total in both matches.  Almeida has been the main weapon for the Jags so far this season as she has 10 double-doubles this year coming into the contest versus the Trojans.  Hristina Markova is second on the club with 2.45 kills per set.

Defensively, sophomore middle blocker has been solid in the middle for USA.  She currently leads the team in blocks per set (1.11), block assists (93) and total blocks (97).  Her 1.11 bps average also is tied with Arkansas State's Cayla Fielder for tops in the Sun Belt.

USA's Kari Frazier ranks fifth in the league in service aces with 0.32.

Troy enters play this week looking to snap a losing streak of its own.  The Trojans began conference play by winning six of their first 10, but have since dropped four straight. Troy will face UAB on Tuesday evening before traveling to Mobile to take on South Alabama.

Like the Jags, Troy was swept in straight-sets by MTSU and WKU last weekend, dropping the Trojans to 11-15 overall and 6-8 in conference play The Trojans currently sit half a game behind North Texas for the eighth and final spot in the Sun Belt Tournament.  With the two losses this past weekend, the Trojans dropped to 1-10 on the road this season.

On the offensive side of the net, senior middle blocker Meghan Gilroy has been one of the top performers in the league.  Coming into play this week, Gilroy ranks third in the Sun Belt in kills with 4.25 per set and eighth in attack percentage at .320.  She is also third in the conference in points with 4.91.  Nationally, Gilroy ranks 22nd in points and 26th in kills per set.

Freshman defensive specialist Lizzie Clough leads the Trojans with 250 digs and a 2.84 digs per set average.  The Trojans also have three other players averaging at least two digs.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

NOTES: The meeting between South Alabama and Troy on Friday will be the 54th meeting between the two clubs in the all-time series.  USA holds a 34-19 advantage in the series/  The Trojans captured the first meeting of the season between the two clubs, defeating the Jags 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-20) at Trojan Arena.

-- USA --