GREENVILLE, N.C., OCTOBER 21, 2018 – The USF volleyball team was forced into some uncharacteristic lineups and situations, but adjusted against a tough ECU team, winning in four sets Sunday on the road (25-22, 17-25, 25-20, 27-25).

The Bulls (15-7, 4-5 The American) received a stellar day from junior Jac'cara Walker (Gainesville, Fla.), who had 19 kills and 12 digs. Redshirt senior Clara Payne (Osteen, Fla.) had 12 kills and six blocks and sophomore Jaeden Brown (Hollywood, Fla.) recorded 11 kills with six blocks of her own.

Trailing 22-21 late in the first set, Walker and Brown kills sparked a 4-0 run to give the Bulls a 25-22 win. After the Pirates (12-8, 4-5 The American) controlled the second set,

USF went back in front, winning the third 25-20. ECU was in position to potentially force a fifth set, up 14-9 in the third. But a 6-0 run with Walker at the service line got the Bulls back in the frame. USF had match point on two occasions, and finally won an extended fourth set, 27-25.  

Notables

• Three defensive specialists were used for the Bulls. Freshman CC Clausen (The Woodlands, Texas) had 12 digs, sophomore Faby Ribas (Orlando) led the team with 13 digs and senior Maria McLamb (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) performed well in her first start of the year with nine digs.
• Senior setter Briana Stowell (Orlando) had 46 assists and six digs along with three kills and four blocks.
• Brown hit .588 and Payne hit .400.

Quotables
Coach Courtney Draper on the big day from the middle:
"Our middies were unstoppable today. ECU was often putting three blockers on Clara and Jaeden, but they still got us points. They also had six blocks each, most of them coming at much needed times, so a complete day for both."  

Coach Courtney Draper on Jac'cara Walker leading the team:
"Jac'cara was excellent in every facet today. She passed well, had a big serving run in the fourth set, of course led us in kills and added 12 digs."

Coach Courtney Draper on the different lineup, utilizing three defensive specialists:
"We had to be very composed today. ECU forced us into some uncharacteristic things, but everyone stuck together. Our floor defense was very active and CC as well as Maria and Faby were hustling to pick up everything ECU threw at us."

Key Stats
   
17 – Payne recorded six blocks and needs just 17 to reach 400 for her career.
5 – USF had five players with double-digit digs.
4 – USF has four wins on Sunday this year and is 3-0 on the road when playing on Sunday.

Up Next
The Bulls return to Tampa for a weekend at home against both Texas foes. USF will host SMU Friday at 7 p.m. and Houston Sunday at noon to close out October.

About USF Volleyball
Led by redshirt senior middle blocker Clara Payne, who paced the team with 300 points and finished seventh in The American with a .290 hitting percentage, USF and seventh-year head coach Courtney Draper are excited for 2018. Senior setter Briana Stowell finished second on the team in 2017 with 243 assists and averaged 22.3 per match in the final month of the year. The Bulls are welcoming six new faces to the roster, with five talented freshmen and a skilled outside hitter coming from Marshall University.
 
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