University of South Florida
Eastern Kentucky
Bulls Pop The Colonels in Three Straight
August 30, 2008 | Women's Volleyball
TAMPA - - It only took three sets for the University of South Florida volleyball to reel win in number two on as many tries during the young season.
The Bulls (2-0) overpowered the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky (0-2) during the 25-11, 25-14, 25-14, 25-14 sweep. Led by a team .554 hitting percentage that is the second highest in school history, and the best since head coach Claire Lessinger has been at the helm, USF played well in all facets of the game to set up a championship match at 7 p.m. tonight against Northeastern (2-0).
Junior middle blocker Alli Arbogast contributed significantly to the near school record hitting percentage with eight kills on nine attempts with no errors for a .889 clip. Arbogast chipped in with an additional service ace, dig and two block assists.
Marcela Gurgel tallied 11 kills on the match, one higher than yesterday's match against Grambling to total 21 kills on the season without a single error. The junior All-American also equaled her total of aces (6) from last night's contest.
USF was helped out by impressive performances by all three seniors on the roster. Nakia Williams, a middle blocker out of Bowie, Md., racked up 11 kills and no errors for a .733 mark and added a pair of block assists.
“She showed her personality today,” said USF head coach Lessinger. “I think she had a lot of fun out there and got the results that she needed.”
Cynthia Danthon served well all night, beginning some big rallies for the Bulls, and also totaled seven kills and a .600 percentage.
Senior libero Stephanie Augustavo led the match in digs with nine and also helped out with assists with four.
“I think the seniors stepped up,” said Lessinger. “They spent a lot of time in the locker room getting focused on coming out and playing real tough volleyball.”
While the Bulls will enjoy the victory, there is not much time to rest. USF will re-take the floor at 7 p.m. against Northeastern for the right to be the USF Invitational champions.
“This match builds momentum for us,” said Lessinger. “But I think player-for-player, it's going to be a grind but I have a lot of confidence in our players.”
