By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA – The Bulls' pursuit of a Big East tourney berth started with a four-set loss at UConn on the final weekend of the regular season.

Kayla Walton posted a team-high 13 kills and Erin Fairs chipped in with 17 digs in Friday's 21-25, 23-25, 25-13, 19-25 defeat. J'beria Davis added 12 kills and Natalia Soares posted 29 assists for the Bulls (15-13, 6-8).

USF was able to keep it close in the first two sets despite posting hitting percentages of .088 and .176. Ciara Brown's kills broke a 7-7 tie in the third set and the Bulls never trailed from there while hitting .286.

USF had its best hitting percentage in the fourth set (.297) and committed only three errors after having at least five in each of the first three sets. UConn was sharper, however, with a .429 hitting percentage in the final set before improving to 19-11 (10-5 in Big East).

The Bulls will find out their Big East fate Sunday and can help their own cause with a victory at home against Georgetown. The regular season finale at the Corral is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start.