TAMPA, Sept. 3, 2016 – Tournament Champions. Again.
The University of South Florida volleyball team (6-0) claimed back-to-back tournament championships to begin the season with a 3-0 sweep (25-16,25-16,25-19) of Stetson on Saturday afternoon. After winning the Charlotte Invitational during the opening weekend, the Bulls completed another three win weekend with victories over Western Carolina, New Mexico and Stetson.
The Bulls' six match winning streak is the longest to begin a season since 2000, when the Bulls went 28-6 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
USF never trailed in the first set and benefitted from four kills by senior outside hitter Dakota Hampton (Orland Park, Ill.), who was named the co-most valuable player of the tournament.
The Bulls also led for most of the second set, outhitting Stetson .429 to .138 to take a two set to none lead.
USF then grinded through five lead changes in the final set before claiming the undefeated weekend. Hampton added seven kills and a .368 hitting percentage in the third set.
Junior setter Alex Mendoza (Minneola, Fla.) totaled another 33 assists. She and senior outside hitter Denise Belcher (Apopka, Fla.) were also named to the all-tournament team with Hampton.
Key Stat:
· Junior middle blocker Joli Holland (Dublin, Calif.) posted six kills and a .545 hitting percentage.
Tournament Notables:
Co-Tournament Champions: FAU and USF.
Co-MVP: Dakota Hampton, USF
Co-MVP: Sigourney Kame, FAU
All-Tournament Team:
USF – Dakota Hampton
USF – Alex Mendoza
USF – Denise Belcher
FAU – Sigourney Kame
FAU – Nathalie Rosado
FAU – Brianne Wojciakowski
UNM – Ashley Kelsey
UNM – Carson Heilborn
GU – Paige McKnight
GU – Kenzie Higareda
WCU – Jo-Leigh Ver Velde
WCU – Katie O'Connor
SU – Madison Akins
Up Next:
The Bulls will compete in the DePaul Invitational on Sept. 9-10 before returning home for the USF Classic on Sept. 16-17. The next Bulls home match will also be against Stetson on Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. Fans can purchase season, tournament, or single match 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 will 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 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 –
