The Bulls will return home for the final time this season hosting Cincinnati and ECU
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 3, 2019 – Hannah Flowers had 18 kills and three blocks to lead Memphis to a 3-1 (25-15, 15-25, 25-16, 25-16) victory over the USF volleyball team Sunday afternoon at The Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
Sophomore Lindsey Pliapol (Daytona Beach, Fla.) led the USF offense with 10 kills and two blocks, while Ally Barnhart (Lenexa, Kan.) had a game-high six blocks to go along with three kills.
Memphis (15-9, 4-8) came out aggressive in the first set jumping out to an early lead. USF earned the first point of the set on a Barnhart kill. The Tigers were able to answer back and control the set with an early 6-0 run, which would end up being the difference maker in the set.
USF was able to keep Memphis on their heels during the second set as they would allow only one lead change. Pliapol would play a huge factor throughout the set totaling five kills. The Bulls jumped out to a 4-0 run ignited by a Pliapol kill late to put the second set away.
The third set featured the most back-and-fourth play between the two teams this afternoon. The score was tied for a game-high five times in the third set with two lead changes. Another 6-0 run late in the match helped the Tigers pull away from the Bulls to steal the third set.
Memphis was able to secure the match in the fourth set when they would string together three 4-0 runs to help pull away from USF. The fourth set featured the most lead changes of the match with both teams totaling a combined three changes.
Quotable
Head coach Courtney Draper on encouraging signs from today’s win…
“We did a great job blocking today. But we could not find our rhythm offensively, other than in the second set when Lindsey came off the bench and provided some athletic swings.”
Notables
- Ally Barnhart earned a career-high in solo blocks this afternoon with three.
- Aleia Wilborn (McKinney, Texas) earned her first ace of the season during the second set.
- Lindsey Pliapol was one dig shy of her eighth double-double of the season.
Up Next
The Bulls are back in Tampa for the final time this season, hosting Cincinnati and ECU next weekend. USF will honor its senior class against the Pirates on Nov. 10.
About USF Women’s Volleyball
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.
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.
-#GoBulls-
