TAMPA, Oct. 27, 2017 – Despite dropping the second set, the USF volleyball team was strong in the three sets it won, outscoring Memphis 75-56 to earn an American Athletic Conference win Friday night (25-18, 22-25, 25-17, 25-21).  

The Bulls (9-12, 4-7 The American) shook off a 2-0 hole in the opening set with a 9-1 run to take six point edge. The Tigers (8-15, 1-10 The American) got to within one at 9-8, but an 8-2 USF run capped by a Priscilla Ehieze (Houston) kill made it 17-10. Memphis got no closer than four, as the Bulls set the tone defensively with five blocks to take the set, 25-18.
 
The Tigers led 7-1 early in the second set, and were able to maintain the lead the rest of the frame. Redshirt-junior middle blocker Clara Payne (Osteen, Fla.) recorded six kills in the set, as USF got to within two points four times, but Memphis held on for a 25-22 win.
 
The Bulls used an 8-3 run in the third set to take a 20-13 lead. The advantage dropped no lower than five and USF won the set 25-17 behind six kills from freshman Doris Carter (Lexington, Ky.). USF led from the opening point on in the fourth set, hitting .346 while recording five blocks to win 25-21 and clinch the match.
 
KEY STATS

• USF recorded a season-high 24 block assists and 13 total blocks.
• Carter led the Bulls with 13 kills and has now reached double-digit kills in four-straight matches.
• Payne paced the Bulls with a season-high seven block assists and added 11 kills, hitting .318.
• Ehieze recorded 11 kills and hit .421 to go along with a career-best five block assists.
• Senior setter Alex Mendoza (Minneola, Fla.) tallied a match-high 42 assists and moves into fifth-place on USF's all-time list with 2,968 assists.
• Freshman middle blocker Jaeden Brown (Hollywood, Fla.) gave the Bulls solid action off the bench with five kills, two aces, six digs and four block assists.
• Junior libero Maria McLamb (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) recorded 22 digs in the win.

QUOTABLES

Head coach Courtney Draper on the team's defensive efforts:
"I was very proud of the overall defense and particularly the blocking tonight. Travers Green calls the defense for us and helps our girls throughout the week and during the match. Tonight everyone executed for us."

Head coach Courtney Draper on Jaeden Brown providing a spark from the middle:
"Jaeden has been working so hard this fall and every area of her game was on display tonight. Hitting at .500 tonight as a freshman middle, I couldn't have asked for much more. It's the hardest position to come in and play as a freshman, so for her to have the impact she did tonight was very impressive."   
 
Head coach Courtney Draper on the team's chemistry at the midway point of conference play:
"Chemistry takes time to grow and I still feel that each week it's getting a little bit better and that culture is getting better. This team is very close and when we play loose and more fun, the results tend to follow."

Head coach Courtney Draper discussing Priscilla Ehieze's efficient night:
"Priscilla just continues to work hard and compete. She was a huge part of our offense tonight especially in transition, hitting .421 and also adding five blocks."
 
UP NEXT
The Bulls welcome No. 21 Wichita St. on Sunday at noon. The first 300 fans in attendance will receive a free USF teddy bear. There will also be a costume contest in between sets two and three.     

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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