SYRACUSE, N.Y. ? The University of South Florida volleyball team won its second-straight BIG EAST contest, defeating Syracuse in five games, 3-2 (26-30, 30-25, 27-30, 30-24, 15-12), at Manley Field House on Friday night.
“This is a big win for us especially being on the road and with all the intangibles going into this,” coach Claire Lessinger said. “I was really pleased with the opportunities our depth provided. Mariana (Thon) and Jarka (Havlickova) gave us big production off the bench and gave us a lift offensively and with our team chemistry. Tonight we got the monkey off our back winning a five-game match and we did it on the road and we did it with the right people that showed up and took care of business.”
The victory is the Bulls first five-game win of the season in three tries. USF now improves its record to 10-4, 2-2 BIG EAST, while the Orange's drops to 10-9, 1-3 BIG EAST.
Kristina Fabris led the way for USF, netting the only double-double with 25 kills and 15 digs. The senior led the team in kills and was one shy of tying her career high of 26.
Offensively, Marcela Gurgel finished second with 18 kills and Jarka Havlickova set a new personal best with 12 kills.
Setter Mariana Thon came off the bench and played in four games, quarterbacking the team with 52 assists, a new career high.
On the defensive end, junior Nakia Williams led the team with seven total blocks, and her four block solos tie her for fourth in the USF single-match record books.
On the night, the USF offense came out on top, out-playing its counterpart. The Bulls tallied 77 kills to the Orange's 59 and out-hit SU, .256 to .169.
In game one the Bulls looked to have the early momentum, but Syracuse tied the score, 15-15, and then took the lead 18-15. The Orange continued to build its advantage eventually jumping out to a six-point lead, 24-18. USF tried to mount a comeback, cutting the deficit to two points, 24-22, but couldn't come any closer as the Orange closed out for the 30-26 win.
After USF saw itself trailing 4-0 to open game two, the Bulls went on a 9-2 run to go ahead, 16-12. After Syracuse tied the score, 11-11, the Bulls countered by going on an 8-1 run for a 19-12 advantage. The Orange managed to come within four points of the USF lead, but couldn't come any closer the remainder of the game and the Bulls held on for the 30-25 victory.
Trailing 7-4 to start the third game, the Bulls came back to even the score and take the lead, 12-11. The advantage didn't last long as the Orange went ahead, 20-14, using a 9-2 run. USF slowly chipped into the lead and came as close as one point, but could keep the momentum going and lost 30-27.
With the Bulls needing to take the fourth set to continue in the match, they took the lead from the start and never relinquished it. After opening up with a 6-1 advantage, Syracuse managed to come within a point of the lead, 11-10. The Bulls quickly quieted the Orange attack by taking an 18-11 lead. USF kept its momentum going the remainder of the game and won 30-24.
USF carried its momentum into the fifth game and went ahead, 6-2. After Syracuse scores a point, the Bulls went on a 5-2 run, taking an 11-5 lead. Syracuse quickly battled back scoring six-straight points to tie the score 11-11. USF didn't let the Orange jump ahead and answered by going on a 4-2 run for the victory, 15-12.
The Bulls will look to continue their winning ways when they travel to Milwaukee, Wis. to face Marquette on Sunday at 3 p.m.
