South Alabama volleyball can clinch a berth in the Sun Belt Conference tournament with one victory this weekend, when the Jaguars close the regular season with road matches at Florida Atlantic and Florida International.
South Alabama plays at FAU on Friday night and at FIU on Saturday. Both matches are scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.
The Jaguars enter the weekend 13-15 overall and 6-7 in Sun Belt play. They have lost four consecutive matches.
Hendrichovsky Expects Two Tests
Head coach Amy Hendrichovsky said she expects a full effort from a struggling Florida Atlantic team and pointed to FIU’s strength at the net.
“Florida Atlantic always plays hard and gives it their best, and I expect no different this weekend,” Hendrichovsky said. “Florida International has been putting up impressive blocking statistics against many opponents this season. For us to offset that, we’re going to have to be in system and continue to be aggressive.”
“FIU is obviously going to get its blocks with it being their strength,” she said. “We just have to stick to our strengths and keep our offense balanced.”
Jaguars’ Statistical Leaders
Sophomore Melissa Waelter leads the South Alabama attack with 3.17 kills per set, eighth in the Sun Belt. She is also part of a three-way tie for fourth in the conference in aces at 0.3 per match. Waelter recorded 17 kills against Middle Tennessee last Friday.
True freshman Savannah Stewart leads the team with 288 total kills and is second on the squad at 2.72 kills per set. Stewart has recorded eight double-doubles this season.
On defense, South Alabama ranks third in the Sun Belt with 15.23 digs per match. Junior libero Jenna Hassell is seventh in the league at four digs per match.
Scouting Florida Atlantic
Florida Atlantic is 6-18 overall and 1-12 in the Sun Belt and has lost seven straight matches. The Owls fell 3-0 to FIU last weekend. FAU is 3-5 at home this season, and its only conference win came against Louisiana-Lafayette on Oct. 5.
Scouting Florida International
FIU is 8-17 overall and 5-8 in league play after its sweep of FAU. The Panthers have won three of their last five matches as they also chase a tournament spot. FIU sits in seventh place in the conference standings entering the weekend.
A win in either match would secure South Alabama’s place in the Sun Belt tournament field.
