USF improves to 6-8 in final nonconference contest, open conference play Friday vs. Temple in The Corral
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA., Sept. 24, 2019 – The USF women’s volleyball team improved to 6-8 on the year with a straight set victory over Bethune-Cookman (3-9) Tuesday in Daytona Beach, Fla.
The Bulls improved to 5-0 all-time vs. the Wildcats as they swept to victory, 25-20, 25-23, 25-20, in their final nonconference match-up of the season. USF returns to Tampa on Friday to begin conference play in a 7 p.m. start vs. Temple in The Corral.
“Bethune-Cookman is a scrappy team with some very nice athletes,” Bulls head coach Courtney Draper said. “They had a great crowd and it’s tough to travel the day of a game, get off the bus and play, so I was pleased with our team’s performance tonight.”
Lindsey Pliapol (Daytona Beach, Fla.), who entered the game leading the Bulls with 164 kills on the season, posted 15 vs. the Wildcats to lead USF. Coming off American Athletic Conference Honor Roll recognition, senior Jac’cara Walker (Gainesville, Fla.) added eight kills and 14 digs. Lauren LaBeck (Chicago) had 13 assists and CC Clausen (The Woodland’s, Tx.) had 17 digs as the Bulls hit .245 on the night and held Bethune-Cookman to just .099 hitting.
“Our middles did a great job blocking,” Draper said. “We need to clean up our serving and passing a little this week, but we are excited to get into conference play at home on Friday!”
Notables
- LaBeck improved to 357 assists on the season as she closes in her 2018 assist total of 474.
- Sophomore Nicole Legg posted four of the Bulls nine blocks on the night.
- USF held Bethune-Cookman top attacker Jordan Jefferson to just three kills and a -.077 hitting percentage.
About USF Women’s Volleyball
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Head coach Courtney Draper led her team to 20 wins in 2018, the most in her time at USF and the most for the program since 2002. The Bulls appeared in the NIVC, the program’s first postseason trip since 2002. Senior outside hitter Jac’cara Walker led USF with 394 kills and recorded her 1000thcareer kill during the 2018 year, on her way to earning first team All-American Athletic Conference honors. USF returns four starters, including its libero, while welcoming 9 newcomers to the fray in 2019 in the form of two transfers and seven freshmen.
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