WEST LAFAYETTE, IND. (Aug. 29, 2014) - The USF volleyball received high praise from Purdue head volleyball coach Dave Shondell following a closely contested loss to the eighth-ranked Boilermakers in the season opener.

Shondell called the Bulls a much-improved team from 2013, adding that he thought they were pretty solid when the teams faced off last season as well.

USF earned that praise in West Lafeyette, taking the final two sets to the wire in a 17-25, 22-25, 23-25 loss to one of the best teams in the country Friday morning.

The Bulls (0-1 Overall) used a stingy defensive effort and a balanced offensive attack to counter Purdue's firepower, forcing 10 ties and four lead changes in the second set, and nearly completing a five-point comeback in the third.

After falling behind 1-0 with a first-set loss, USF picked up its passing, allowing the Bulls to get strong production out of their middle blockers. Freshman Joli Holland punched home two kills in two swings, and added a pair of blocks in the second set, while senior Jennica Mullins added a kill and a block to help send USF to an 18-17 lead late in the set.

Purdue would pull ahead 22-21 and ultimately grab the 25-22 win, but the Bulls took some momentum heading into the break. Defensively, junior libero Wylie Devlin recorded six of her team-high 11 digs in the set, while junior outside hitter Erin Fairs added five.

In the third, USF's veterans came alive. Senior right side hitter Bree Scarbrough came out swinging early, posting three kills a five-point span to cut the Boilermakers' lead to 11-9. Scarbrough played errorless volleyball throughout the match, hitting .357 with five kills in her Bulls debut.

Purdue pulled away late, but Fairs brought the Bulls back to within one at 23-24, delivering kills on three of USF's final four points. For Fairs, it was three of six kills the junior would record in the set, hitting a scalding .417 from the outside.

USF hit a team-best .267 in the third set, but allowed the Boilermakers to hit .306 as Purdue secured the sweep. Fairs led USF with 11 kills, while sophomore right side hitter Alexus Heidelberg added six kills, hitting .231. Heidelberg led the team with four blocks, finishing a strong season debut.

The Bulls are back in action tonight at 5 p.m., taking on LSU in the second match of the Mortar Board Premier.