Special to GoUSFBulls.com
By: Mary Lee Gibson

TAMPA, NOV. 26, 2014 – 

Just when it looked like the University of South Florida volleyball team was going to put away a three-set sweep of Memphis, the Tigers rallied to take the last three sets, and the match, Wednesday night at the Corral. The loss dropped the Bulls to 13-18 overall and 17-12 in American Athletic Conference play. Memphis improved to 23-10 and 13-6.

The Bulls took an early 2-0 lead with wins of 25-23 and 25-14, and looked as though they would be able to put away the third after coming back to tie the match eight times. However, the Tigers rattled off three straight points at the end to put away the 26-24 victory.

The pivotal moment came in the fourth set just after the Bulls tied the match at 8-all. The Tigers finished the set on a 17-8 run to take a 25-16 victory and force a fifth set.

Despite the Bulls' valiant efforts, the Tigers took the final frame 15-8, as both Jennica Mullins and Adyson Goodnight slugged two kills apiece to end the match. 

Erin Fairs was the spark of the Bulls' offense as she tallied her 22nd double-double of the season with 20 kills and 13 digs. Dakota Hampton and Wylie Devlin joined her with double-digit stats as Hampton posted 12 kills and Devlin notched 18 digs. Alex Mendoza assisted 41 as the Bulls attacked at a .213 clip.

The Tigers were led by Alexis Wesley who finished the match with 13 kills overall. Kate Gibson earned a double-double with 22 kills and 15 digs.

The Bulls return to action in their final match of the season as they take on Cincinnati Friday, Nov. 28, at 2 p.m. in the Corral. The team will honor their two seniors, Mullins and Bree Scarbrough before the match.