University of South Florida
Cincinnati
Bulls Grab Big Win, Top Cincinnati in Five
September 30, 2012 | Women's Volleyball
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The Bulls (10-7 overall, 2-2 BIG EAST) used an aggressive serving game to force Cincinnati to run its offense well off the net, and took advantage of a career-high 22 kills from junior Kayla Walton to grab a five-set win over the defending BIG EAST Champions, 20-25, 25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 21-19. Walton hit .450 to lead the way for USF, as the Bulls outhit Cincinnati .205-.163, and served eight aces in the win. Despite a 6-6 effort in kill attempts from junior Kayla Walton, the Bulls dropped the first set as Cincinnati outhit USF .410-.256. USF slowed the Bearcats down in the second, out-hitting Cincinnati .185-.000, using four blocks to neutralize the Bearcats' hitters. Freshman outside hitter Erin Fairs kept Cincinnati off-balance with her serve all match, and it paid big dividends for USF in the second set. Fairs served USF to an 8-0 to turn a 17-17 tie in the second into a 25-17 win, forcing the Bearcats out of system for four Cincinnati errors. Fairs capped the run with a kill from the back row, sending the Bulls into the break knotted in a 1-1 tie. From that point, USF was on a roll. The Bulls' only setback came in the form of a close 25-23 loss in the fourth, but USF rebounded quickly to hold a lead throughout most of the fifth, eventually taking the match on a Claudia Cabrera service ace. Cabrera finished with a career-high 29 digs, and received help on defense from Fairs, who posted a career-high 20 digs along with 15 kills. Sophomore Valerie El Houssine also reached double-digit digs, notching 17. Freshman setter Natalia Soares contributed a career-high 32 assists. USF head back on the road next weekend, taking on Syracuse and Marquette.
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