Box Score
Queens, N.Y. - - Playing against the best team in the BIG EAST Conference, the University of South Florida team could not pull off the upset at St. John's in an 18-25, 15-25, 20-25 defeat.
USF (15-11, 5-6) dropped its third straight match of the season, matching the longest losing drought of the year. St. John's (19-7, 10-1) continues to lead the conference and was helped out by a team .378 hitting percentage against the Bulls.
As a team, USF was held to a .088 attack clip despite junior outside hitter Marcela Gurgel's match-high 14 kills. Gurgel stayed practically right on track with her aces per set on the season (0.67) with two more tonight.
Sophomore Allie Boaz swung very well against the Red Storm in her first collegiate visit to Carnesecca Arena, tallying seven kills and a team-high .357 attack mark.
Despite being close in each of the first two sets around the mid-way point of the game, it was a combination of USF miscues and a very efficient St. John's team that carried the Red Storm to big runs to eventually run away with the sets.
USF, coming into the weekend tied for the eighth and final spot to clinch a berth in the BIG EAST tournament, will travel to UConn on Sunday in desperate need of a big road win. First serve is set for 2 p.m. with the match being broadcast through an audio feed on USF Press Pass.
