STORRS, Conn. – The University of South Florida volleyball team (9-18, 6-9 AAC) was defeated 3-0 at UConn (15-11, 9-6 AAC) on Friday afternoon. Freshman setter Molly Burkardt posted a double-double of 12 assists and 11 digs in the loss.
“We did not play clean volleyball today,” said USF head volleyball coach Courtney Draper. “Our team was too inefficient to take the win. We hustled well defensively (and out-dug them) but our offense was too inconsistent.”
The Bulls got out to a 4-2 lead in the opening set but UConn raced back for a 10-8 advantage. The Huskies never trailed again in first set, winning 25-19.
Trailing the match 1-0, USF had an opportunity to even things up in the second set. The Bulls rallied early for the 6-4 edge but the Huskies responded with the next six straight points. Down 19-13 later on, USF surged back to within a point before UConn pulled away late in the 25-20 set two victory.
The Bulls never led by more than a point in the third set as the Huskies closed out the match with another 25-20 decision.
The defeat snaps a USF five match winning streak against UConn.
Junior outside hitter Dakota Hampton led the Bulls with 10 kills in the match but fell two digs shy of her 12th consecutive double-double.
USF continues its road trip at Temple on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 1:00 p.m.
The Bulls are back home to host Cincinnati on Friday, Nov. 20. That match will be held at The Corral and begin at 7:00 p.m.
-GoUSFBulls.com-