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2
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3
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Lafayette
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21
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15
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USF
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25
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25
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| Top Performers |
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| USF - Boaz |
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| USF - Luiz |
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Laf - Racibarskas
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Laf - Mulholland
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CHARLESTON, S.C. - The University of South Florida volleyball team swept the Lafayette Leopards, 3-0, to close out the Holiday Inn Charleston Riverview Classic on Saturday and give them their second loss of the season.
"Every week with every tournament, we are finding things we need to work on," said head coach Claire Lessinger. "Each weekend, a different weakness is exploited. Chemistry is one, and we need to get back in the gym and work on our cohesion as a team."
Juniors Allie Boaz and Mariana Thon were named to the All-Tournament Team as the Bulls (7-3) went 1-1 on the weekend. Boaz, a right-side hitter, recorded eight kills in the match, leading the team with a .308 hitting percentage.
USF outhit the Leopards (7-2), .242-.056, winning all three sets, 25-22, 25-21 and 25-15.
"Boaz was by far our most consistent hitter of the weekend," said Lessinger. "Once she gets hot, she is unstoppable."
In the first set, USF went on a 6-1 run to take the early 8-3 lead. The Leopards did not back down, as they fought back to keep the set close and tie it up, 9-9. After nine ties, the Bulls dominated the rest of the set after being tied, 17-17. Freshman setter Jessica Burghart came in late into the set, after Brittany Castelamare suffered an ankle injury, recording one kill and dishing out one assist. Lafayette used their two timeouts after the Bulls led by three but could not change USF's momentum as the Bulls took the 1-0 lead in the match, winning 25-22.
With the 1-0 lead, USF only trailed twice in the second set as the Bulls held the Leopards to a .062 attack percentage. Seniors Marcela Gurgel and Pamela Luiz each had four kills apiece.
With the Bulls leading, 10-8, USF went on a 6-0 run. An ace by Thon followed by a kill from redshirt freshman Caitlyn Breen caused Lafayette to burn a timeout. Sophomore Kelsey Palmer record four of her six blocks in the set.
Dominating in the third set, Lessinger used her bench to gain valuable experience. Junior Rachel Matos registered her first career kill, and Callie Hasko played in her first collegiate match.
Breen, Boaz and Luiz each had three kills in the set to lead the Bulls. Hitting .355, USF took a double-digit lead at 19-9. Breen slammed down a ball from Thon to end the set and win the match.
"It's fun when you get the opportunity to get your bench in," said Lessinger. "Their teammates get excited to see other players get playing time."
The Bulls begin BIG EAST play on the road against Rutgers at 2 p.m. next Saturday.
