TAMPA, OCT. 5, 2014 – Freshman setter Alex Mendoza's first-career double-double wasn't enough to save the University of South Florida volleyball team from a loss to Temple Sunday afternoon.

Mendoza recorded a career-high 11 digs to go with 23 assists, but the Bulls (8-8 overall, 2-2 The American) just couldn't slow down Temple's offense, suffering their first home conference loss of the season in three sets, 20-25, 14-25, 20-25.

The Owls (11-5, 2-2) outhit USF .364-.144, out-blocking the Bulls 10-4 and collecting 14 more kills than USF in the match.

Down 2-0 in the match, junior outside hitter Erin Fairs provided a spark in the third set, knocking out six kills and hitting .385 in the set. Sophomore libero Amy Van Sant added nine digs in the third set, but Temple's six blocks stymied the Bulls' comeback in the Owls' three-set win.

Fairs led USF's offense with 13 kills, and freshman middle blocker Brittany Kelly added six kills, hitting a team-high .333. Van Sant finished with a team-high 13 digs.

USF hosts UCF Wednesday at 7 p.m., in the final match of this three-match homestand.