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TAMPA, SEPT. 19, 2015 – The defending national champions hadn't lost a set since last December heading into the USF Invitational, and they still haven't, but the USF volleyball team didn't make it easy for top-ranked Penn State Saturday night.

The Bulls put on a show for its crowd of 1,636 inside the USF Sun Dome, challenging the undefeated Nittany Lions in a three-set battle, 25-19, 25-6, 25-18.

USF led three different times in the match, getting strong performances from multiple positions to the excitement of the hometown fans.

Sophomore Joli Holland opened the first set strong for USF, knocking down four kills on just five attempts as the Bulls threatened to close Penn State's slim lead several times before falling 25-19. A huge block from junior Alexus Heidelberg, followed by an ace, put fans on their feet and set the tone for a back-and-forth match.

After the Nittany Lions finished their run in the second set, Heidelberg and the Bulls came roaring back in the third. Heidelberg pounded down six of her team-high seven kills, hitting .667 in the set to keep USF neck-and-neck with the defending champions. Junior Dakota Hampton's three aces pushed the Bulls even closer to the 20-point mark, but Penn State finished the tournament undefeated, extending their blemish-free streak to 11 consecutive matches.

USF finishes off its non-conference schedule Sunday, hosting Florida A&M in The Corral at 4 p.m.