The Bulls open AAC play with Tulane
TAMPA, September 19, 2023 – The USF volleyball team already has a much-improved vibe. The action-packed start includes six non-conference victories and memorably taking the powerful Florida Gators to five sets before a raucous crowd of 6,877 at the Yuengling Center.
Bulls coach Jolene Shepardson said she believes her team (6-5) will build upon that momentum when it opens the American Athletic Conference season against the Tulane Green Wave (4-8) on Wednesday night at USF’s Corral.
Sophomore outside hitter Buse Hazan (first name: Boo-Say) is one of the biggest reasons for USF optimism. Hazan leads the Bulls in kills (122/3.05 per set) and service aces (15), while ranking third in digs (82/2.05 per set).
Shepardson said she foresaw this type of production from Hazan (5-foot-11) — but a series of unforeseen circumstances delayed the player’s thunderous arrival.
There were post-COVID Visa travel struggles. When the road was finally cleared, of all things, Hazan suffered a broken toe before last season as she packed for the trip to USF from her homeland of Istanbul, Turkey. Finally healthy and on the court, Hazan tore an abdominal muscle, effectively ending her season.
After 11 matches, Hazan has been playing like she’s making up for lost time.
“Her arm is so fast and she’s very hard to defend,’’ Shepardson said. “Her mindset is she wants to hit — and she wants to hit it hard. And so she goes for it without hesitation. We appreciate that attitude.
“It’s a very aggressive, high-energy, extremely intense game that she plays. And she has given us more than just an ability to score. Her serve receive is very consistent. She’s one of our best servers. She’s an effective blocker and she can run the ball down from anywhere. She knows the game so well and we are so glad to have her.’’
Even if it was a few years in the making.
Shepardson remembers getting the call from Hazan, who sheepishly said she injured her foot while packing for the trip to America.
“I think I just paused and said, ‘Is this some kind of joke?’ ‘’ Shepardson said with a laugh.
Hazan was in a boot for about a month. Not long after she was cleared to participate, Hazan suffered her abdominal injury. So it became a lost season.
“On top of that, she’s in a new country with a new team and a new environment,’’ Shepardson said. “In the spring, she came back healthy, with the right mentality and passion. I think she wanted to show her teammates she was ready to play and gain some respect.’’
Hazan said she feels more comfortable in numerous ways. For one thing, as an admittedly emotional and expressive person, she now communicates confidently and openly in English (she also speaks Turkish, Russian and a bit of German).
“At first when I got here, I was good writing it (English), but not so much speaking it,’’ Hazan said. “I held back and didn’t communicate so well with my teammates. But that is not me. I have worked hard to improve and that is no longer a problem.
“I watched some TV shows and learned from that. I also practiced a lot with my friends. When you are not sure what to say, it is hard. I still have trouble with some of the slang and sometimes I am saying, ‘What did you say? What does that mean?’ But overall, now my words just come out naturally and that makes things so much better.’’
Hazan said she always had confidence in her ability to contribute on the court. Now she’s healthy and eager.
She’s a city girl from Istanbul, which has one of the world’s largest metropolitan populations at nearly 16-million. She began playing volleyball at age 12 — after dabbling in soccer and basketball — and immediately loved it.
“I don’t have an answer why I love volleyball so much, other than it just fits me and I feel like I’m good at it,’’ Hazan said. “When I go up to hit the ball (for a winner), it’s like fire. It feels so great and I love attacking.’’
Hazan said soccer is probably still the most popular sport in Turkey, but volleyball is closing fast. Women’s professional leagues are supported heavily and Hazan has set that as her long-term goal.
In the short term, she just wants to help USF turn the corner in the AAC.
“I feel like we can have the biggest ambitions,’’ Hazan said. “I think we can do very well in the conference and get into the NCAA Tournament. That is what we’re working for.
“It’s a big different from last year, even though we have many newcomers on the team. But we are like a family right now.’’
One of the key newcomers is freshman libero Lia Schneider, who has made a big impact all season.
“She’s just awesome,’’ Hazan said. “She’s everywhere getting all the digs. Having her back there gives us confidence.’’
Hazan, Amanda DeWitt, Marta Cvitkovic and Maria Clara Andrade provide the Bulls with effective scoring potential. With Tulane up next — followed by a weekend trip to Memphis — Shepardson would love a quick start in the AAC.
“We’ve had some ups and downs so far, but I think our group is absorbing the lessons,’’ Shepardson said. “They are not making the same mistake twice. In years past, we weren’t quite as quick to learn. This group is paying attention and the players are really supportive of each other.
“I see more relentlessness, which is great. It helps to cut through the noise of fear or frustration and other factors that have held us back. Right now, we’re going for this and I believe we’re going to be a difficult team to defend.’’
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 and is entering its 52nd campaign in 2023-24. 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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