MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 1, 2017 –The USF volleyball team survived a battle at Memphis Sunday, claiming its first American Athletic Conference win of the year in five sets (26-24, 25-18, 23-25, 16-25, 15-13).

The Bulls (6-8, 1-3 The American) and Tigers (7-8, 0-4 The American) traded points in the early goings, as there were seven lead changes until there was a10-10 score. A 5-1 USF run created some separation, then with the score reading 16-14 in favor of the visitors, consecutive aces from senior setter Alex Mendoza (Minneola, Fla.) capped a 3-0 run to make it 19-14. Memphis responded with a 9-3 run to retake the lead, 23-22. But the Bulls tied it twice before back-to-back kills from outside hitters Doris Carter (Lexington, Ky.) and Reagan Davey (Ocala, Fla.) gave them a 26-24 win. 
 
The second set started exactly like set one, with seven ties early on. USF used a 3-0 run to make it 12-9, then extended the lead to as much as seven, 19-12. Memphis got to within four following a 6-3 run to make it 22-18. But after head coach Courtney Draper called a timeout, the Bulls picked up the next three points, as senior middle blocker Joli Holland (Dublin, Calif.) put down the 25^th point with a kill from the middle.
 
Trailing 11-7 in the third set, consecutive aces from Davey capped a 6-1 run to give the Bulls a 13-12 lead. The Tigers were able to regain the advantage for good at 16-15, and carried the lead to a 25-23 win. Memphis rolled in the fourth set to force the pivotal fifth frame.
 
Tied 12-12 in the fifth set, a Holland kill and a Maria McLamb (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) ace gave the Bulls match point. Holland put the finishing touches on the match with the final kill from the middle off a feed from Mendoza.QUOTABLES

Head coach Courtney Draper on the balanced effort:
"What really propelled the offense was our passing and defense today. Both were solid and really allowed us to run our middies efficiently, which makes us very tough to defend. We used a lot of different players in different positions, so it was a total team effort."

Head coach Courtney Draper on Alex Mendoza's effectiveness:
"Alex played an excellent match and was great distributing to the attackers. She's the quarterback of this team and when she plays well we typically have a lot of success."

KEY STATS

• Redshirt-junior middle blocker Clara Payne (Osteen, Fla.) led USF with 14 kills while hitting .286. She also had a match-high seven total blocks.
• Holland and Davey finished with 11 kills and Carter totaled 13. Davey also added five aces.
• Mendoza recorded 51 assists and freshman Faby Ribas (Orlando) recorded 25 digs.

NOTABLES

• The win marked the second time this season at least four Bulls recorded double-digit kills in a match.

UP NEXT
The Bulls continue their road trip, heading to Dallas to face SMU Friday at 8 p.m.       

About USF Volleyball
In addition to 10 newcomers, USF returns a large core of talent for 2017, led by senior setter Alex Mendoza, who surpassed the 2,000 assist total in 2016 and posted a team-high 1,125 helpers. Redshirt-junior middle blocker Clara Payne finished second on the team with 340 points and senior middle blocker Joli Holland finished fourth with 251.5 points. The Bulls are guided by sixth-year head coach Courtney Draper.
 
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