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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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| Rutgers |
19 |
25 |
17 |
25 |
18 |
3 |
| USF |
25 |
17 |
25 |
20 |
16 |
2 |
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TAMPA- The University of South Florida volleyball team battled off three straight sets points in the final set, but could not put Rutgers away, and dropped the match in heartbreaking fashion on Sunday, 3-2.
Trailing 14-12 in the fifth, the Bulls reeled off three straight points to take the 15-14 lead, but Rutgers battled back to take the dramatic fifth set win and the match.
The two teams exchange set victories throughout the match, but Rutgers was able to break the mold in the fifth, jumping out to the early lead, and held off the Bulls to pick up their second league win on the season.
USF, who knocked off Seton Hall on Friday, were looking for their second undefeated weekend at home of the season, and had an opportunity to put themselves in a great spot heading into the stretch run in the BIG EAST, but could not pull off the dramatic comeback victory.
Senior Allie Boaz continued her dominant play, as the outside hitter recorded 21 kills, hitting .436 in the match. The 20+ kill effort was the second consecutive match with at least 20 kills, as Boaz picked up 22 in the win over the Pirates on Friday.
J'beria Davs collected 11 kills in the loss to Rutgers, adding six digs and an assist. Mariana Thon and Jessica Burghart combined to pick up 48 assists.
The Scarlet Knight outhit the Bulls .325 to .276 on the day and USF was outblocked 8.0 to 7.0.
It did not appear that the match would be as close as it was in the opening set, as the Bulls stormed out to a commanding 10-0 lead over the Scarlet Knights, and despite Rutgers battling their way back, USF held on to take the opening frame 25-19.
The second set was completely different for USF. Instead of grabbing an early lead, USF fell behind 10-3, and were never able to bounce back, dropping the set 25-17 heading into the lockerroom.
After coming out flat in set two, the Bulls rebounded in set three controlling every aspect of the game, and hit .333 in the set to take the frame 25-17 and the 2-1 advantage.
Rutgers was able to take the fourth set on .432 hitting as a team, to force the decisive fifth set.
If a fifth set wasn't dramatic enough, the Bulls fell behind 6-3 early on, but the “Comeback Kids” battled all the way back, fighting off three match points, to take the 15-14 lead, but Rutgers was able to hang on to take the match 3-2.
