The Bulls will play IUPUI, South Dakota, and Drake in the South Dakota Classic
TAMPA, September 6, 2023 –The University of South Florida volleyball team starts a six-match road stand as they head to the South Dakota Classic this Thursday-Saturday. The Bulls are set to face IUPUI, South Dakota, and Drake.
Last weekend, South Florida hosted the Bulls Invitational, welcoming Idaho State, FGCU, and Mercer. The Bulls went 2-1, defeating Idaho State and Mercer. Maria Clara Andrade (Sao Paulo, Brazil) led the team with 72 kills. Against Idaho State, she was two kills away from tying her career-high of 23. Lia Schneider (St. Charles, Ill.), Buse Hazan (Istanbul, Turkey), and Andrade earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
Transfer setter, Caroline Dykes (Flower Mound, Texas) has already dished out 98 assists through five matches. She has a career total of 1,955, only 45 away from hitting the 2,000 mark. Kelsey O’Loughlin (Fort Lauderdale) is also eyeing a milestone. The graduate student is 13 service aces away from 100.
After 2,555 days, a Bull was named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week. Andrade earned the honor after leading the Bulls with 48 kills, averaging 4.36 kills per set. She also had 27 digs, two solo blocks, and five assisted blocks for a total of seven.
The last time a Bull earned the award was on September 5, 2016, when Dakota Hampton was named the player of the week.
WEEKEND ROUND UP
IUPUI (4-2)
Date: Thursday, September 7 | 4 p.m. (E.T)
Live Stats: Statistics
Series vs. IUPUI: IUPUI leads, 1-0
Scouting the opponent:
- Through the first six matches, Maia Long leads the Jaguars with 80 kills. She is averaging 3.20 kills per set.
- Defensively, IUPUI has three players with double-digit blocks. Emily Alan leads the team with 16.0
South Dakota (1-4)
Date: Friday, September 8 | 8 p.m. (E.T.)
Watch: Summit League Network
Live Stats: Statistics
Series vs. South Dakota: South Dakota leads, 1-0
Scouting the opponent:
- Madison Harms is averaging 1.12 blocks per set. In her 17 sets played, she has a total of 19 blocks.
- Avery Van Hook has dished out 128 assists this season. She is averaging 7.53 per set.
Drake (2-4)
Date: Saturday, September 9 | 11 a.m. (E.T.)
Live Stats: Statistics
Series vs. Drake: First meeting
Scouting the opponent:
- Taylor Oberpriller leads Drake with 90 kills this season. She averages 3.91 kills per set.
- Jada Wills was named the MVC Defensive Player of the Week for the second straight week. She has 142 digs on the season.
About USF Volleyball
Head coach Jolene Shepardson enters her fourth season at the helm of her alma mater in 2023. Named head coach on Jan. 8, 2020, Shepardson led the Bulls’ program to its last conference championship and NCAA tournament appearance as a student-athlete in 2002. USF made its last postseason appearance in 2018, posting 20 wins and appearing in the NIVC. USF Volleyball has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances and won 12 conference titles since its inception in 1972 and is entering its 52nd campaign in 2023-24. The Bulls play in The Corral (1,000), adjacent to the Yuengling Center on the USF campus.
Be sure to follow USF women’s volleyball on social media (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
– #GoBulls –
