EL PASO, Texas, December 10, 2023 –The University of South Florida volleyball team’s (22-12, 13-6 AAC) amazing season has come to an end in the NIVC Semifinals after a sweep by the University of Texas-El Paso (25-9, 11-5 CUSA) on Sunday afternoon.
The Bulls lost with scores of 14-25, 24-26, 13-25.
Buse Hazan (Istanbul, Turkey) led the team with 11 kills and two service aces. Maria Clara Andrade (Sao Paulo, Brazil) also had two service aces. Miya Thomas (Gainesville) led with 12 digs.
The Bulls finished their season with 22 wins, the most wins in a season since 2002. IT is one of the best turnarounds in program history.
With the packed home crowd behind them, the UTEP Miners cruised to a dominant opening set win. Six of the Bull’s points came from Miners’ errors.
The second set was a back-and-forth battle with UTEP taking the early 8-3 lead over South Florida. The Bulls answered with a 10-4 run to take the 13-12 lead. South Florida was one point from taking set two, but a 4-0 run backed by the crowd gave UTEP the two-set lead in the match.
The momentum from the Miners continued through the final set. The Bulls gave everything they had to come back but a 6-0 run by UTEP closed the match.
NOTABLES
- The UTEP defense recorded 10 blocks and held South Florida to two.
- The Bulls finished the season with 22 wins, the most since 2002.
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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