Bulls Edged by Nova Despite Defensive Dominance

Friday, November 4

Tampa, Fla.

7:00 PM

University of South Florida

Villanova

Wait Is Over, Volleyball Opens at Home Friday

Bulls Edged by Nova Despite Defensive Dominance

November 05, 2011 | Women's Volleyball

By: USF

Info.
Box Score	BIG EAST Standings	Season Stats	USF Roster

Villanova		Stat	USF
Andersen, Krista	12	Kills	22	El Houssine, Valerie
Oertli, Courtney	19	Assists	45	Dailey, Shelbie
Maroon, Kim	26	Digs	32	Rivera, Janice
Mergen, Maggie	4	Blocks	9	Breen, Caitlyn

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Sets
Villanova	25	20	25	25	-	3
USF	22	25	20	23	-	1

TAMPA –The University of South Florida volleyball team showcased a dominant defensive performance Friday night, but the visiting Villanova Wildcats (16-10) posted a narrow 3-1 victory (25-22, 20-25, 25-20, 25-23) at the USF Upper Recreation Center. USF falls to 5-6 in BIG EAST play, while Villanova improves to 8-4.

"I thought we matched their performance tonight," head coach Claire Lessinger said. "What they are normally great at, we were too. We saw what we're capable of. We scrapped out there. I thought our effort was incredible."

USF (9-15) evened the match at 1-1 following a 25-20 triumph in the second game. Following the break, Villanova outlasted a scrappy Bulls squad as they eked out wins of 25-20 and 25-23 to secure the win.

The Bulls received key contributions from several players en route to posting one of the most dominant defensive outings all season. USF held the Wildcats to a .090 hitting percentage for the entire match and racked up 83 digs, which stands as the second highest dig total all year.

Senior libero Janice Rivera won the libero showdown against Kim Maroon, who leads the nation in digs per set with 6.62. Rivera tallied a season high 32 digs, only two shy of a career best (34), which was set against Connecticut in 2009. Maroon led the Wildcats with 26 digs.

The Bulls had three players reach double-digit dig totals. Freshman Casey Albano notched a season high 14, while junior transfer Claudia Cabrera posted 13 digs.

With a blocking unit that ranks 22nd nationally, USF managed its second highest blocking total this season with 16, outblocking the visiting squad by eight.

"Incredible blocking job today," Lessinger said. "The block has yet to fail me. They have been very consistent. When you can score 16 points off of your block in a match, that's pretty incredible."

Sophomore middle blocker Andrea Rodriguez Gomez, who is tabbed 20th nationally in blocks per set, led the way for USF up front. Rodriguez Gomez turned away a match high seven balls, raising her season total to 116. Junior Caitlyn Breen made the most of a starting appearance with six blocks, including three solo blocks. Sophomore Kayla Walton also recorded six blocks in the contest.

Freshman outside hitter Valerie El Houssine led the Bulls in kills for the fifth straight contest with a match high 22.

USF will honor its three graduating seniors, Kelsey Palmer, Janice Rivera and Kimika Rozier on senior day Sunday as the Bulls host Georgetown at 2 p.m.