TAMPA – The University of South Florida volleyball team (9-20, 6-11 AAC) was defeated 3-1 (22-25, 25-19, 22-25, 22-25) by Cincinnati (18-10, 10-7 AAC) on Friday night. Junior outside hitter Dakota Hampton (Orland Park, Ill.) led USF offensively, registering 20 digs and 12 kills for her 15th double-double of the season.
“As a team, it was one of our best offensive matches,” said USF head volleyball coach Courtney Draper. “We had the same amount of kills as Cincy tonight. I was proud of our serving and blocking performance. We just were not sharp enough in our sideout game and let Cincinnati go on a couple of runs, which ultimately gave them the win.”
After falling in the first set by three points, the Bulls responded by tallying eight of the first nine points in the next set. The fast start fueled the USF's set two win. Junior outside hitter Denise Belcher (Apopka, Fla.) recorded five of her team high 16 kills in the set as the teams were all even heading to the third.
The Bulls also had a rapid beginning in the third set, leaping ahead 4-1, but the Bearcats kept chipping their way back. In a set that would feature seven ties and one lead change, Cincinnati inched ahead in the match 2-1 on the heels of a 25-22 victory.
The fourth set was also back and forth with four lead changes and six more ties. The Bulls led 16-12 midway through the set but Cincinnati closed the match on a 13-6 run to claim the Friday night win.
The 16 kills for Belcher were four shy of tying her career-high (20, Missouri, Sept. 5). Senior setter Natalie Soares (Porto Alegre, Brazil) guided the Bulls with 23 assists and sophomore setter Alex Mendoza (Minneola, Fla.) also contributed with 21 assists as well. Senior libero Wylie Devlin (Winter Park, Fla.) logged 22 digs as well.
The Bulls finished the match with a .200 hitting percentage
USF will host Memphis in the team's 2015 home finale on Sunday, Nov. 22. The Bulls will honor Devlin, setter Olga Morekhodova (Key West, Fla.) and Soares in a prematch Senior Day ceremony prior to the 1:00 p.m. contest at The Corral.
The USF volleyball program has reached the NCAA Tournament seven times and boasts seven conference championships. The Bulls return five starters (plus a libero) from last season's team. USF is guided by fourth year head coach Courtney Draper. Follow the volleyball team on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. Purchase tickets HERE.
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