JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 15, 2017 – Graduate transfer Julita Kurdziuk (Sejny, Poland) tallied a career-best 13 kills, as the USF Volleyball team dropped a four-set match to Austin Peay to open the Dolphin Invitational Friday (25-21, 16-25, 24-26, 23-25).  
 
The Bulls (2-5) shook off a 3-0 deficit in the opening set to take their own three-point edge at 16-13 following a kill from junior outside hitter Reagan Davey (Ocala, Fla.). The Governors (9-2) tied the set at 17-17, but the Bulls tallied the next two points and led the rest of the set to win 25-21.
 
After Austin Peay tied the match winning the second set, the third set went back-and-forth with no side leading by more than two midway through. USF took an 18-15 advantage, but the Governors got nine of the next 11 points to lead 24-20. Facing set point, a Kurdziuk kill and a Davey ace started a 4-0 USF run to make it 24-24. Austin Peay was able to attain the next two points to win the set.
 
The Governors were able to attain nine separate three-point leads in the third set, but USF did not allow it to get any worse. Priscilla Ehieze (Houston, Texas) got the Bulls within a point at 24-23 before an Austin Peay kill on the next volley ended the match.   
 
KEY STATS

• Redshirt-junior middle blocker Clara Payne (Osteen, Fla.) tallied a match-high eight total blocks.
• Senior Joli Holland (Dublin, Calif.) and Davey recorded eight and nine kills, respectively.  
• Senior setter Alex Mendoza (Minneola, Fla.) recorded 29 assists and 10 digs.   

NOTABLES

• The Bulls served up three aces. They still lead The American in aces per set.
   

UP NEXT
The Bulls conclude non-conference play with a pair of matches Saturday to finish the Dolphin Invitational. USF will face Presbyterian at 3:00 p.m. followed by Jacksonville at 6:00 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.
 
Follow the volleyball team on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.