By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA – USF went out as a winner in its final volleyball match of the season Wednesday afternoon.
USF shined on the offensive end, hitting .333 as a team in a 25-15, 21-25, 27-17, 25-21, victory over Florida A&M that gave head coach Claire Lessinger her 101st win at the USF Recreation Center.
“This is what I was hoping would happen is that we would take advantage of having another match at home to wrap up what we felt was a good season that didn't always reflect in our win-loss record,” Lessinger said. “It's something for them to feel good about, and us to build on as we turn a page and start the next chapter.”
The Bulls (12-16) certainly shined before they closed the book on 2011. All-Big East second teamer Valerie El Houssine led USF with 20 kills while hitting .333 to end a stellar freshman campaign.
“She had a hot night,” Lessinger said. “What a great way for her to finish her freshman fall.”
Shelbie Dailey dished the ball out to El Houssine often and finished with a match-high 42 assists.
“Shelbie just keeps getting better and better,” Lessinger said.
USF rolled through the first set before committing eight errors in a second-set loss when Lessinger helped her team regroup at the break.
“We needed to bounce back, minimize our errors and I thought we did a great job of that,” Lessinger said.
The Bulls had only five combined errors in the third and fourth sets with a total of 29 kills. Senior Janice Rivera finished her three-year USF career with 15 digs.
“I think the girls were just anxious putting a jersey on for another time,” said Lessinger, who completed her eighth season in charge of the program.
