Box Score

TAMPA - - In the first of four matches this weekend for the University of South Florida volleyball team, the Bulls swept the Georgia Southern Eagles in three straight sets, 25-14, 25-20, 25-15. 

USF (6-5) was led by junior Marcela Gurgel with 21 kills and a .436 attack percentage.  Gurgel also neared a double-double with eight digs while adding in four assists and a block assist.

The match marked the fifth consecutive match in which Gurgel posted at least 19 kills as the outside hitter from Brazil has been following up an All-American season a year ago with an arguably even better campaign thus far.

Freshman Alli O'Connor got the start and played a solid match with six kills, seven digs, a pair of aces and a block assist.

Alli Arbogast also chipped in with five kills and tied for the match high with two block assists.  

Sophomore setter Mariana Thon played the entire match for the Bulls and racked up 29 assists, three service aces, while also going on the attack with four kills.  Thon helped out defensively as well with seven digs and a block assist.

Senior Stephanie Augustavo and junior Mollie Echols were both stellar on the back row by totaling 13 and 10 digs respectively.  The defensive efforts led by those two played a major role in holding the Eagles to a team hitting percentage of just .042.

The loss by Georgia Southern dropped the Eagles to 5-6 on the season.  During the match, the Eagles were led in kills by Bethany Samford with eight and libero Cristin Haines led in digs with 11.

USF will get back to the action later tonight at approximately 7:30 p.m.  Fans can follow the action through USF Press Pass as well as catch the live stats through GoUSFBulls.com