TAMPA (Sept. 7, 2019) – The USF volleyball team dropped a pair of matches on Saturday to close out play in the Hurricane Invitational at the University of Miami in Coral Gables. The Bulls, who found themselves on the wrong end of decisions to Auburn (25-20, 26-28, 13-25, 25-21, 15-17) and the host Hurricanes (21-25, 26-28, 19-25), are 2-3 on the season.
In the first match of the day USF battled in a five-set affair against the Tigers. After winning the first set, 25-20, the Bulls fell just shy of taking a 2-0 lead in the match as Auburn took set two, 28-26. USF fell behind 2-1 in the match, however forced a fifth and final set with a thrilling 25-21 win in the fourth game. As was the case in three of the previous four games, the fifth set was decided by fewer than five points as Auburn came from behind to close out the Bulls, 17-15.
In the second match of the day USF fell in straight sets to Miami. The Bulls dropped the first set, 25-21, however had a great opportunity to even the match in the second set, but fell 28-26. For the second half of the set neither team led by a margin greater than two points. The Hurricanes closed out the contest with a 25-19 win in the third.
Key Stats
18 – Jac’cara Walker (Gainesville, Fla.) led the Bulls with 18 kills against Auburn.
25 & 18 – Lauren LaBeck (Chicago, Ill.) paced the way in the assist column with 25 against the Tigers. She followed that up with 18 against Miami.
Notables
– Lindsey Pliapol (Daytona Beach, Fla.) was second on the team in kills with 17 against Auburn and paced the team with 12 against the Hurricanes.
– Rafaela Biegelmeyer (Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil) had 13 assists against the Tigers.
– Jac St. Cin (St. Petersburg, Fla.) had eight kills against Auburn.
Quotable
“I’m proud of the way our team fought this match. It was very evenly matched and could have gone either way, unfortunately we came up short today. We are still working to find the right line up and, as a team, we just need to perform more consistently. Our outsides did a great job both offensively and defensively.” – USF head coach Courtney Draper on the loss to Auburn
“Lindsey (Pliapol) and Jac St. Cin really had great offensive nights, but we need to be able to balance our attack better to be more successful. We need our middles and right sides to be more involved. Lauren did an excellent job serving, and now we need some others to step up their serving game as well. Miami was vulnerable in a few rotations in specific zones, but our girls struggled to hit the target too often. CC (Clausen) was very good defensively, but unfortunately we were just physically outmatched in this game.” – USF head coach Courtney Draper on the loss to Miami
Up Next
The Bulls will return home to The Corral to face in-state foe North Florida on Sept. 10 at 6 p.m.
To purchase tickets for USF volleyball, or to purchase an Olympic Gold Pass which provides entry to all men’s soccer, women’s soccer and volleyball home contests in 2019, visit USFBullsTix.com or call 1-800-GO-BULLS.
– #GoBulls –
About USF Volleyball
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.
Follow the volleyball team on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
