TAMPA, December 9, 2023 – The University of South Florida volleyball team (22-11, 13-6 AAC) will head to El Paso, Texas for the NIVC’s Fab 4 to take on the University of Texas-El Paso Miners (24-9, 11-5 C-USA) on Sunday, December 10 at 3:30 p.m. (E.T.).
South Florida traveled to Statesboro, Ga. to face the Georgia Southern Eagles on Thursday night. The Bulls swept the Eagles to remain undefeated in series play. It was the third time this season that Georgia Southern was swept by an opponent. Behind the service line, freshman Miya Thomas (Gainesville) led the match with four service aces. It was the second time in her collegiate career with four aces in a match.
After earning their fourth NIVC bid, South Florida has continued their historic season, winning the first three rounds and moving onto the Fab 4, only the second time in program history. If the Bulls win their next match, they will advance to the NIVC Championship for the first time in program history.
With the wins over Buffalo, St. John’s, and Georgia Southern the Bulls have now surpassed 20+ wins this season. The last time South Florida reached 20 wins was in 2018 when they finished the season 20-12. The last time the Bulls had more than 20 wins was in 2002 when they finished 30-7.
After the regular season ended, the American Athletic Conference had seven teams in the postseason. SMU earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, while six other AAC teams earned a spot in the NIVC.
Along with South Florida, Wichita State, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, and Tulsa earned a spot in the NIVC. After three rounds, only the Bulls and the Shockers remain in postseason play.
Setter Caroline Dykes has dished out a total of 3,008 assists in her career. She reached the milestone in the third set against Georgia Southern with a kill from Niki Khoshatefeh.
After her two service aces against St. John’s, Dykes is now two aces away from serving 100 in her career. If she reaches the last milestone, she would have reached three in one season.
WEEKEND ROUND UP
UTEP Miners (24-9, 11-5 (C-USA)
Date: December 10 | 3:30 p.m. (E.T.)
Series vs. UTEP: South Florida leads, 1-0
Scouting the opponent:
- UTEP is coming off a four-set win over the Clemson Tigers on Wednesday.
- Torrance Lovesee leads the Miners with 326 kills this season. She averages 2.63 kills per set.
- Alyssa Sianez averages 3.02 digs per set. She has 378 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. 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 –
