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TAMPA, SEPT. 5, 2014 –
In a defensive battle including a combined 27 blocks and 146 digs, the USF volleyball team found itself just shy of a comeback Friday night.
The Bulls (1-4 overall) posted 69 digs and 12 blocks against FIU in the second match of a Friday doubleheader at the USF Corral, but fell behind the Panthers early and couldn't catch up in a 22-25, 21-25, 25-15, 20-24 loss.
Getting 20 kills from junior outside hitter Erin Fairs, USF out-hit FIU .122-.078, but the rest of the Bulls' offense seemed never got off the ground, due in part to FIU's 15 team blocks and active back row.
After falling behind 2-0 in the match, the Bulls swung the momentum back in their favor in the third. With the score tied at 10, junior setter Natalia Soares served the Bulls through a 5-0 run to provide some separation. USF extended it further a few points later, as sophomore defensive specialist Amy Van Sant served up an 8-0 run, including a pair of aces. The Bulls won nine of the last 10 points in the set, cruising to a 25-15 win on the heels of six kills from Fairs.
USF kept it close in the fourth as well, tying FIU five different times, but never being able to push ahead. FIU used four team blocks to gain an edge over the Bulls late, and finished the match on a kill, sending USF to its first home loss of the season.
Fairs added 14 digs and four blocks to her 20 kills, recording her third double-double of the season. Defensively, the Bulls had four different players record double-digit digs, as sophomore outside hitter Dakota Hampton led the way with 17, and junior libero Wylie Devlin added 14. Soares combined her 11 digs with 24 assists to grab her first double-double of the season.
The Bulls return to the USF Corral Sunday to face South Carolina State in the final match of the USF Invitational. Tickets are still available for the 11 a.m. match, and all kids in middle school and younger are invited to participate in a free 1-hour volleyball clinic hosted by the team immediately following the match. Purchase tickets HERE.
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