University of South Alabama

James fninshed with four total tackles, including one for loss, and intercepted a pass he returned 22 yards for a touchdown to help lead the Jaguars to a 56-0 season-opening victory over Pikeville (Ky.) Saturday.  The interception return came with USA ahead 14-0 and less than 10 minutes to go in the opening half, and was part of a 20-point scoring outburst in the period that helped break the game open.  James' efforts helped the Jags limit the Bears to only 88 yards of total offense, including a net gain of three yards on the ground.

The Jaguar senior outside hitter was the offensive leader for South Alabama this past weekend at the Jaguar Classic.  En route to earning her second all-tournament honors this season, Almeida led USA with 65 kills and averaged 4.64 per set.  She also recorded 12 assists and dropped in six service aces.  Against Alabama A&M on Friday, the San Jose Dos Campos, Brazil native posted a career-best 22 kills and became just the seventh Jaguar to eclipse the 900 kill mark for her career.  Against the Bulldogs, Almeida also finished with 16 digs to give her her 20th double-double of her career.  She followed that performance up with 17 and 15 kill efforts against UNC-Asheville and Alabama State. Almeida also posted a career-best .714 hitting percentage against ASU – the second highest ever by a player in the program’s history.  Almeida had 15 kills on 21 attacks, while not committing an attack error against the Hornets.