TAMPA, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 – The USF volleyball team continued its scorching hot stretch, extending its win streak to seven with a perfect 2-0 opening day at the USF Classic behind straight sets triumphs against North Dakota  (25-23, 25-21, 25-20) and New Orleans (25-13, 25-15, 25-22).  

The Bulls (10-1) were powered by the excellent play of junior outside hitter Jac'cara Walker (Gainesville, Fla.) in the straight sets win against the Fighting Hawks (7-7). The transfer had a match high 19 kills without any errors, hitting .594 to go along 10 digs for her third double-double of the season.

The first set was back-and-forth, but eight kills from Walker and a combined 23 as a team gave USF a 25-23 win. Sophomore Nikkia Benitez (Miami) began the catch fire in the second set with six kills, as a 6-0 USF run made it 18-8 at one point. Walker had another eight kills in the third and final set, as USF completed its second-straight sweep with a 25-20 win.

Against the Privateers (6-7), Benitez did her best to match Walker and may have one upped her fellow outside hitter. The athletic sophomore had a career best 15 kills with a match high 12 digs. She was as efficient as can be with just two errors on 19 attacks for a .684 hitting percentage.  

Notables

• The 10-1 start to the year is the best for the program since 1996. USF began that season 11-1 before suffering its second loss.   
• Walker totaled 28 kills and 18 digs in the two wins.
• Benitez had 26 kills with 20 digs on the day.
• Senior setter Briana Stowell (Orlando) recorded 63 assists and 22 digs in the two matches.

Key Stats
100 – Wins for head coach Courtney Draper at USF. She becomes the fifth coach in program history to reach the milestone.
11 – Consecutive sets the Bulls have won.
.356 – USF's hitting percentage against New Orleans. The Bulls hit .581 in the second set.
6 – Stowell had her sixth double-double of the year with 38 assists and 13 digs against North Dakota.

Quotables
Head coach Courtney Draper on the way the team has been able to execute so well over the last few matches:
"I told the team at the end of today, especially those first two sets, they have that ability to dominate. We were sharp, hitting at a great clip for much of the day. If the offense was a concern a couple weeks ago, it's certainly been a bright spot of late."

Head coach Courtney Draper talks about the big performances of Jac'cara Walker and Nikkia Benitez:
"Jac'cara's game is so smooth, she has such a high level of understanding the game and is fun to watch. Nikkia is such a physical player and very smart. She knows how to attack the open spot and I'm really proud of what both them were able to accomplish today."

Head coach Courtney Draper on Briana Stowell's effect on the whole team:
"We're flowing so well right now and working so well as a unit and a lot of that credit goes to Bri. She's such a calm player and understands what she's seeing on the other side. Her vision keeps improving and she knows exactly where to put the ball for our hitters."

Head coach Courtney Draper reflects on getting to 100 wins at USF:
"It really has little to do with just me and everything to do with our amazing players and the incredible staff I have the privilege of working with. I'm just a small piece of it all, but doing it tonight was awesome with such a fun atmosphere and crowd to celebrate something so special."

Up Next
The Bulls close out the USF Classic against Charlotte Saturday at noon. USF will look to make it a third tournament win and third perfect weekend.

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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