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After a strong showing in the BIG EAST Tournament, the University
of South Florida volleyball team fell short in its last match.
The Bulls (17-15 overall) finished their season at home,
losing to Central Michigan (16-14) in three sets as the Chippewas out-hit, out-dug and out-served USF. Central Michigan
won a close first set, then pulled away in the second and third sets to seal
the victory, 25-23, 25-16, 25-20.
In a high-offense first set, the Bulls knocked out 16 kills
on just 32 swings, including five kills from J'beria Davis and four from Andrea
Rodriguez Gomez, but found themselves outgunned by Central Michigan's 19 kills.
The Chippewas out-hit USF .412-.406 in the set, and sided out at 73 percent,
taking the first set despite 15 ties and five lead changes, 25-23.
Central Michigan continued its strong play in the second
set, hitting .333, and used a strong block to slow down the Bulls' attack as
well. Freshman Erin Fairs scored five of her team-high 13 kills in the second
set, but USF struggled to string points together, dropping the second set,
25-16, and losing the third in similar fashion, 25-20.
Fairs hit .435 in 23 swings to pace the Bulls, while Rodriguez
Gomez added seven kills and hit .385. Freshman setter Natalia Soares finished
with 18 assists to lead the USF setters.
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