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TAMPA, SEPT. 11, 2015 – A bid to force a fifth set fell short Friday evening for the USF volleyball team, as an impressive Georgia Tech team rallied past the Bulls in Nebraska, 25-21, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23 in the Ameritas Players Challenge.

USF (2-5 overall) was the first to 20 points three times against the pesky Yellow Jackets (8-1), but could only convert the third set as Georgia Tech outhit the Bulls .336-.253 in the four-set loss.

Still missing the team leader in assists and aces due to injury, the Bulls made use of three different setters, getting a quality relief effort from senior Olga Morekhodova (Key West). Morekhodova came in to start the third set after USF trailed 2-0, and made an immediate impact, contributing 17 assists over the next two sets to help USF to a third-set win, and nearly another one in the fourth.

USF's hitters benefitted from Morekhodova's strong night as well, as five different players posted at least five kills in the loss. Junior outside hitter Denise Belcher (Apopka) followed a 20-kill night in her last outing with 19 kills Friday, continuing to lead USF's offense since returning from injury.

At the other outside hitter position, junior Dakota Hampton added 13 kills and 12 digs, racking up her second double-double of the season. Sophomore Joli Holland continued to quietly put up big numbers, adding 11 kills while hitting .476, and Nebraska native Adyson Goodnight posted six kills in her return to her home state.

Coming into the match for the first time in the third set, redshirt freshman Clara Payne (Osteen) became an immediate contributer, mixing five kills with four blocks in the loss.

USF faces No. 5 Nebraska and UC-Davis Saturday, completing the final non-conference road swing of the season.