TAMPA ? The 2008 spring volleyball schedule will get underway for the University of South Florida team later this month with an exciting slate of matches.
On March 29, the Bulls will travel down I-4 to Orlando to face off with the University of Central Florida Knights. The two teams met last fall during the regular season on Sept. 13 in Tampa. In the home opener for USF, the Bulls swept UCF 3-0 and were led by Marcela Gurgel's 11-kill performance and Kristina Fabris' 13 digs.
The spring schedule will continue on April 5 when the team will play in an eight-team tournament hosted by Florida Southern. The Mocs had a good 2007 season with a 26-9 record as an NCAA Regional Runner-Up in Division II.
USF will then leave the Sunshine State and head to Houston, Tex. to play on April 12 in the 3rd Annual Texas Tornados College Spring Tournament. Considered the nation's premier collegiate spring tournament, the event will feature a total of 24 teams.
Of the elite field, eight reached the 2007 NCAA Championships, including national semifinalist Southern California and national champion Penn St. For a full listing of teams and more information, click here.
“We are thrilled to participate in Houston against some of the nation's top programs,” said USF head coach Lessinger. “This will give our squad an opportunity to compete at a very high level.”
April 19 marks a key date for USF Volleyball. On that day, the Bulls will play host to the 1st Annual Florida Collegiate Beach Volleyball Tournament. The one-day event will take place at Siesta Keys and will feature five teams from the state of Florida.
“Our spring schedule is unique and designed to challenge us in a number of different ways,” said Lessinger. “We are also excited about experimenting with the beach game and hosting a collegiate beach tournament. Volleyball is a growing sport and the beach game has possibilities of becoming a collegiate sport one day. We took this opportunity to have our players cross train on both surfaces and I think it will make us more athletic and strategic come fall.”
The Bulls will be coming into a spring schedule with momentum coming off of a 19-10 record during the 2007 season. USF graduated just one senior, Kristina Fabris, from last season's roster and will have 12 players participating for the Bulls in the upcoming spring schedule.
