TAMPA, FLA., November 9, 2023 – Maria Clara Andrade (Sao Paulo, Brazil) set a new career-high of 26 kills in the University of South Florida volleyball team’s (16-10, 10-5 AAC) 3-1 win over the East Carolina Pirates (18-8, 9-6 AAC) in front a rowdy crowd in The Corral on Thursday night.
The Bulls won with scores of 25-22, 25-22, 15-25, 25-20.
Andrade complimented her career-high of 26 kills with three service aces, two block assists, and a .353 hitting percentage. Buse Hazan (Istanbul, Turkey) followed Andrade with 12 kills for her 19th double-digit kill performance. She also had the only block solo of the night for South Florida. True freshman Miya Thomas (Gainesville) set a season-high of 22 digs.
South Florida fell behind early, with ECU taking a 5-1 lead. Caroline Dykes (Flower Mound, Texas) started an 8-2 run that gave the Bulls a 9-7 lead. South Florida extended its lead late in the set to 23-20. Andrade’s seventh kill of the match gave the Bulls a one-set lead.
The Bulls and Pirates traded points until they were tied at seven. South Florida found their momentum and went on a 9-2 run to take a 14-8 lead. The Pirates answered with a run of their own to bring the set within one. The Bulls closed out the second set 25-22, the same score as the first.
The Pirates came out hot in the third set and won with a score of 25-15.
With the AAC East lead in their sight, the Bulls came out refocused in the final set to quickly take an 11-6 lead. The Pirates put some pressure and closed the Bull’s lead to only two points after a 3-0 run. Both teams traded points late in the set but two points from South Florida sealed the win and the top spot in the East Division.
NOTABLES
- With the win, the Bulls now have sole possession of the top spot in the East Division.
- Dykes dished out 45 assists.
- Marta Cvitkovic (Rijeka, Croatia) and Dykes also had a service ace.
- Cvitkovic had two while Dykes had one.
UP NEXT
The Bulls will continue their series with ECU tomorrow at 2 p.m. Prior to the match, Jolene Shepardson will honor her senior class of Marta Cvitkovic, Kelsey O’Loughlin, and Alexis Williams as well as student manager, Olivia Alexander.
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. 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.
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