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Scoreboard
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Team
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Set 1
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Set 2
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Set 3
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Set 4
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Set 5
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Final
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| USF |
10 |
9 |
22 |
-- |
-- |
0 |
| Cincinnati |
25 |
25 |
25 |
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-- |
3 |
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CINCINNATI- The University of South Florida volleyball team could not get their offense going as they dropped their match to No. 23 Cincinnati in straight sets on Saturday.
The Bearcats, who entered the match atop the BIG EAST standings at 6-1 in league play, completely controlled the match from the beginning and took the Bulls out three sets to none.
USF dropped the opening set 25-10 and set two 25-9 before regrouping at the break to challenge the Bearcat in set three, but could not close it out, falling 25-21 in the final frame.
The Bulls knew they had a tough test against Cincinnati, who entered the weekend at No. 23 in the country, tied for the league lead with the Bulls' Sunday opponent Louisville.
Despite the struggles, USF got some younger players into the match against the class of the conference.
Freshman Kayla Walton had the most effective day for the Bulls offensively, hitting .333 against the Bearcats, collecting four kills in nine attacks, while adding one block assist.
Sophomore J'Beria Davis returned from illness, which caused her to miss the match against Georgetown, to record six kills against the Bearcats to lead the team.
Mariana Thon and Jessica Burghart split the setting duties in the match, and Burghart picked up a season high seven assists.
Freshman Andrea Rodriguez Gomez led the Bulls at the net, picking up three block assists in the loss.
Offensively, Cincinnati outhit USF .324 to .000 in the match, recording 31 kills compared to just 24 from USF. The Bearcats also got 14 aces including seven from Becca Refenes and five from five-time BIG EAST Player of the Week Stephanie Riemer.
The Bulls came out and went back-and-forth with the Bearcats in the opening set, before Cincinnati pulled away to take it 25-10.
UC controlled set number two from the beginning, jumping out to a 8-1 lead, one they would not relinquish, to take the second set in commanding fashion, 25-9.
The Bulls, who reeled off wins in each of the last two weeks after trailing two sets to none, regrouped at the break, and came out much stronger in the third set, but it was too little too late, as the Bearcats took the final frame 25-22.
USF has a quick turnaround, as they travel to Louisville, Ky. to battle the Cardinals on Sunday at 1 p.m. As always, there will be a live chat available on GoUSFBulls.com, live from the match.
