South Alabama athletics and area high schools have a busy stretch of games and tournaments on tap this month, with the Jaguars women’s basketball program unveiling its non-conference schedule, the volleyball team absorbing its first Sun Belt Conference loss of the season, Spring Hill College gearing up for a preseason celebration, and dozens of Mobile and Baldwin county high schools kicking off the state volleyball playoffs.
The University of South Alabama women’s basketball team released its full non-conference schedule this week, and it features six games at the Mitchell Center along with a marquee road trip to the Southeastern Conference. The Jaguars open the season with an exhibition against Spring Hill College on Nov. 1 before their regular-season opener at home against the University of Mobile on Nov. 9. South Alabama then hits the road for the first time on Nov. 12 for a matchup at Rutgers, returning to Mobile on Nov. 15 to host Auburn-Montgomery.
The schedule continues with a trip to Tulane on Nov. 20, followed by consecutive home games against New Orleans on Nov. 23 and Mercer on Nov. 26. The Jaguars close out November on the road at Alabama State on Nov. 28 before returning to the Mitchell Center on Dec. 5 to face Southern Miss. A trip to Nicholls State on Dec. 11 precedes the team’s final non-conference home game on Dec. 14 against Faulkner. South Alabama will then head to Georgia for a three-game stretch, taking on Charleston Southern and Tulsa on Dec. 18-19 as part of the Georgia State Classic before a matchup at Georgia on Dec. 21. The Jaguars are slated to open Sun Belt Conference play at home against Appalachian State on Dec. 30.
On the volleyball court, the South Alabama Jaguars suffered their first Sun Belt Conference loss of the season last weekend, falling to Coastal Carolina in four sets by scores of 25-23, 18-25, 16-25 and 15-25 in an East Division match played at the HTC Center. The result snapped a five-match winning streak for the Jaguars, who improved to 12-6 overall and 5-1 in conference play before the setback. South Alabama took the opening set to grab an early 1-0 lead, but Coastal Carolina, now 12-4 overall and 6-0 in Sun Belt play, rallied to take the next three sets and extend its winning streak over the Jaguars to 12 matches. South Alabama returns to action this Friday, hosting Georgia State at 6 p.m. at Jag Gym.
Spring Hill College is preparing to welcome back fans and players alike with Midnight Madness festivities set for Thursday, Oct. 21, beginning at 10 p.m. at the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center. The event marks the return of the college basketball season as well as the return of spectators to arenas, and will introduce fans to the players and coaches of the 2021-22 Spring Hill Badgers men’s and women’s basketball teams. The evening will include a slam dunk contest judged by local celebrities, a three-point shooting contest, games with prizes for fans, and performances by the Spring Hill cheer and dance squads. A DJ will provide music throughout the event, and free food will be available for Spring Hill students with a valid ID.
Meanwhile, the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s volleyball postseason is underway, with area tournaments taking place across Mobile and Baldwin counties this week. Area tournaments are being played from Oct. 11 through Oct. 16, with the top two teams from each area advancing to their respective regional tournament, scheduled for Oct. 20-22 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. The top two finishers from each classification at regionals will then advance to the state tournament, set for Oct. 26-28 at the CrossPlex and Harris Arena in Birmingham.
In Class 1A Area 1 action at Bayshore Christian, McIntosh and Fruitdale meet at 5 p.m. on Oct. 14, with the winner facing host Bayshore Christian at 6:30 p.m. for the area title. Class 2A Area 1 will be decided at Orange Beach, where Washington County takes on J.U. Blacksher at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 14, followed by a 6 p.m. title match against Orange Beach.
Class 3A Area 1 will be held at St. Luke’s on Oct. 12, with Mobile Christian facing Cottage Hill Christian at 3:30 p.m. and St. Luke’s taking on Chickasaw at 4:30 p.m., setting up a 5:30 p.m. title match between the two winners. Class 4A Area 1 is scheduled for Oct. 16 at St. Michael, where the host Cardinals face Vigor at 9 a.m. and W.S. Neal meets Escambia County at 10 a.m., with the area championship following at 11 a.m.
Class 5A Area 1 play will take place at Bayside Academy on Oct. 13, with Elberta facing B.C. Rain at 5 p.m. before the winner meets Bayside Academy at 6 p.m. for the title. In Class 5A Area 2 at UMS-Wright, Satsuma and LeFlore square off at 4:30 p.m., with the winner advancing to a 6 p.m. title match against the host Bulldogs.
Class 6A Area 1 will be contested at Saraland on Oct. 13, beginning with Blount and Citronelle at 2 p.m., followed by Saraland taking on that winner at 3:30 p.m. In the other half of the bracket, St. Paul’s Episcopal faces Faith Academy at 5 p.m., with the area championship set for 6:30 p.m. Class 6A Area 2 will be decided at Spanish Fort, where the host Toros face Robertsdale at 1 p.m. and Gulf Shores meets Baldwin County at 2:30 p.m., setting up a 4 p.m. title match.
Class 7A Area 1 tournament play is set for Oct. 14 at Mary G. Montgomery, with Theodore facing Davidson at 1 p.m. and the host Vikings taking on that winner at 3 p.m. Baker and Alma Bryant meet at 5 p.m., with the area title match following at 7 p.m. Rounding out the local brackets, Class 7A Area 2 will be held at McGill-Toolen, where Murphy and Foley meet at 2:30 p.m., with McGill-Toolen facing the winner at 4 p.m. Fairhope and Daphne square off at 5:30 p.m., setting up a 7 p.m. championship match.