USF Athletics

100 Wins Into 'Dream Job,' Draper Sees Special Qualities in 10-2 Bulls

September 18, 2018

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, SEPT. 18, 2018 – Courtney Draper continues to live the dream in her seventh season as USF volleyball's head coach and success has often become a reality in 2018.

It all started with Draper guiding the Bulls to their best season start since 1996 at 8-1. USF got to 10-2 over the weekend at The Corral, where a very notable milestone was reached.

Draper became the fifth coach in program history to reach 100 wins with USF when the Bulls completed a doubleheader sweep at the USF Classic on Sept. 14
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"A lot of people ask me, 'What is your dream job?' I always tell them that I'm in it," Draper said. "I think Tampa is an amazing place to recruit teenagers to become adults in this wonderful city. USF has had a lot of growth over the last couple decades but significant growth in my time here. It's really exciting to see the development of not only our athletic department but also of the university."

At the USF Classic, Draper's Bulls brought their winning streak up to seven matches and won their 12th straight set before dropping a tough five-set decision to Charlotte in the tournament finale on Sept. 15.

At 10-2, USF needs only two more wins to match last year's victory total. USF used the 2017 season to find the right court combinations with 10 new players and success in 2018 has spiked thanks to the steady captain leadership of seniors Clara Payne (Osteen, Fla.), Briana Stowell (Orlando) and junior Jac'cara Walker (Gainesville, Fla.).

"Those three are doing a great job behind the scenes," Draper said. "All of them are impact players, but equally good leaders."

Despite being a first-year Bull, Walker quickly became a go-to player for the team in the preseason and the former Gatorade Player of the Year is leading by example with court production. From the outside hitter spot, Walker currently leads the Bulls in kills (136), kills per set (3.09) and points per set (3.33).

"I think that says a lot about her character, being able to come in as a transfer and be such an impact player and leader," Draper said. "The kids choose their captains and they chose Jac'cara as one of those three after not knowing her for that long."

Big Weekend for Draper's Bulls
Expect The Corral to be packed for USF's next home match against War on I-4 rival UCF (9-3) on Friday at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets HERE or catch the action live on BullsVision.

"They're having as good a year as we are," Draper said. "UCF has played a really tough schedule and has been really competitive with some of the best teams in the country. I feel like it's always a battle. If you look at the scores over the years, everything has been really, really close."

Draper has been a part of nine battles with the Knights since she joined the Bulls and actually secured her first-career win at USF with a five-set victory over UCF on Aug. 26, 2012.

Draper said the Bulls are ready for the next War on I-4 installment that will mark the American Athletic Conference opener for both programs.

"I think our kids are really determined, really driven and disciplined," Draper said. "All the things you look for in quality teams, we have. I really think that all of our kids have to be firing on all cylinders."

After UCF, USF will finish up the weekend with a non-conference test against North Florida in Jacksonville on Sunday at 1 p.m.

"We're trying to be one of the best teams in the state of Florida," Draper said.
 
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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