Belcher, Hampton, Payne each registered double digit kills in the victory
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 14, 2016 – The University of South Florida volleyball team (13-6, 4-3 The American) knocked off first place Temple (12-5, 5-2) on the road with a 3-0 sweep on Friday evening.
USF won with scores of 25-17, 25-17, and 28-26.
Senior outside hitter Denise Belcher (Apopka, Fla.) piloted the Bulls offense with 13 kills and a career-high .556 hitting percentage. Senior outside hitter Dakota Hampton (Orland Park, Ill.) and redshirt sophomore middle blocker Clara Payne (Osteen, Fla.) each registered 10 kills each. Junior setter Alex Mendoza (Minneola, Fla.) totaled 41 assists in the match, a 13.7 assists per set average.
The Bulls led the first set 19-17 before winning the last six points for the early advantage. USF hit .500 in the set as Belcher notched eight kills in eight attempts.
In set two, the Bulls continued to surge onward by posting another .393 hitting percentage in the victory. Hampton posted five kills in each of the first two sets.
USF faced its biggest test in the third set. Trailing 22-17, the Bulls tallied the next six points and 11 of the final 15 points to sweep Temple at McGonigle Hall.
Quotables:
- USF head coach Courtney Draper on the all-around effort: “It was a complete team effort and many people contributed in different ways.”
- Draper on the team's offense: “We have been known for our defense but tonight our offense was firing on all cylinders.”
- Draper on the seniors: “I'm particularly proud of all six of them. They all had a big piece of this victory. I'm extremely happy for these players.”
- Mendoza on how the Bulls started and finished the match: “We came out very aggressive and I don't think Temple was expecting it. The comeback in the third set really defined the relentless attitude we played with tonight and we never let them back in.”
- Belcher on the victory: “It was such a good team win. I'm so proud of all of my teammates. We came out hungry for a win and we got it.”
Key Stat:
- The Bulls recorded a sideout percentage of 74 percent.
Notables:
- USF is 11-4 all-time against Temple.
- The Bulls win snaps Temple's four match winning streak in the rivalry.
- USF limited Temple to a .180 hitting percentage.
- Senior Elyse Panick (Chicago) ended the match with six digs, six kills, and four blocks.
- Hampton's two block solos matched a career-high.
Up Next:
USF remains on the road at UConn on Sunday at noon.
The Bulls return home to host SMU (Oct. 21) at 7 p.m. It will also be USF's Dig Pink match as the Bulls will honor breast cancer research. The team will also sign autographs following the match.
Tickets are only $5 and fans can purchase their tickets HERE.
About USF Volleyball
The USF volleyball program has reached the NCAA Tournament seven times and boasts seven conference championships. In 2016, the Bulls return 10 players from last season including their top eight point scorers from a year ago. USF also brings back senior outside hitter Dakota Hampton (Orland Park, Ill.), who was named to the 2016 American Athletic Conference preseason team. The 6-0 start was the program's longest winning streak to begin a season since 2000. The Bulls are guided by fifth 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.
– #GoBulls –
