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TAMPA, SEPT. 4, 2015 – The USF volleyball team led late in every set and had a rowdy crowd on its side, but couldn't quite get over the hump Friday night against an undefeated Arkansas State team.

The Bulls (2-2 overall) were the first team to 20 points in all three sets before eventually falling in extra points each time to the Red Wolves, 26-28, 24-26, 24-26, in front of a packed crowd of 783 for USF's home opener. Arkansas State's largest lead in the match was just three points, but it was enough to top USF in an exciting, back-and-forth match.

USF out-blocked Arkansas State 11-6 in the match, but the Bulls were out-hit .160-.115 in the defensive struggle, and out-dug 64-56 in the loss.

Sophomore middle blocker Joli Holland (Dublin, Calif.) started the match off strong, setting USF's blocking tone with two big stuffs in the first set to go along with a pair of kills.

Holland's first kill helped USF open up a 19-16 lead before Arkansas State closed the gap, tying the game at 20. USF staved off three set points after Arkansas State took three consecutive one-point leads, but the Red Wolves finally stole the win at 28-26, setting what would become the pattern of the match.

Holland added three more kills in the second set on just five swings, once again leading the Bulls in what proved to be a balanced attack. Six players had at least two kills, but no more than three in the set, as USF commandeered at 20-16 lead before falling late, 26-24.

The final set was more of the same, USF jumping out to a 20-16 lead on sophomore Adyson Goodnight's third kill of the match, but falling 26-24, despite seven digs from senior libero Wylie Devlin (Winter Park).

Devlin led all comers with 19 digs in three sets of work junior Dakota Hampton (Orland Park, Ill.) adding 10 digs, seven kills and three blocks to the mix. Holland and junior outside hitter Alexus Heidelberg (Winter Garden) each posted seven kills as well, the trio tying for USF's kill lead.

The Bulls play two more home matches tomorrow, facing FGCU at 1 p.m., and taking on Missouri at 7 p.m. in the USF Classic finale.