USF Athletics

Bulls return to the Corral to face Jacksonville on Tuesday

September 16, 2019

MATCHUP: USF vs. Jacksonville
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m.
LOCATION: The Corral
LIVE STATS: LINK
TWITTER UPDATES: @USFVolleyball

TAMPA, Sept. 16, 2019 – The USF women's volleyball team will take on the Jacksonville Dolphins Tuesday night in the Corral as the Bulls begin a four-match home stand.

The in-state matchup will mark the 46th meeting between the programs, with the Bulls posting a 9-1 mark in the last 10 meetings.

Senior outside hitter Jac'cara Walker (Gainesville) leads the Bulls with 104 kills on the year while sophomore setter Lauren LaBeck (Chicago) has posted 207 assists.

USF (3-6) dropped three matches at the Gator Invitational over the weekend, including a hard-fought battle with No. 11 Florida. The Gators took the first two matches but were dominated by the Bulls in the third by a score of 25-19. Giving USF momentum during the first few points were Lindsey Pliapol (Daytona Beach, Fla.) and CC Clausen (The Woodlands, Texas). Despite 12 kills apiece by Jac St. Cin (St. Petersburg, Fla.) and sophomore Pliapol, as well as a team high of 18 assists from LaBeck, Florida took the victory.

The Bulls faced Long Beach State later in the day, with two Bulls earning double-doubles. A team-high 22 kills came from Pliapol, while Walker added 18 kills. Aleia Wilborn (Mckinney, Texas) proved to be an offensive weapon for USF, lifting the Bulls with the highest hitting percentage on the day. Closing out the invitational, USF faced James Madison on Sunday. Clausen had 14 kills for the Bulls and freshman Madison Bragan (Tampa, Fla.) recorded eight assists.
 
Jacksonville (2-7)
The Dolphins return offensive forces Mallory Mattingly and Natalie Wehner to the court this season, accompanied by numerous freshman and newcomers. During the River City Rumble Tournament, Jacksonville took home a victory over Belmont with a strong day from setter sophomore Natalie Martin. The setter broke her own career assist record by three, tallying 55 on the day. Being named to the All-Tournament Team was junior Bailey Boy, who had four impressive blocks and recorded a .478 hitting percentage.

Head coach Evan Muys is in his second season at Jacksonville and earned American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Thirty Under 30 recoginition in 2017.
 
Notables

• Lindsey Pliapol finished with a team-high 22 kills and 10 digs to secure a double-double against Long Beach State.
• Jac'cara Walker added a double-double over the weekend with 20 digs and 18 kills.
• Three Bulls have recorded double-digit service aces this season.

About USF Women's Volleyball
Be sure to follow USF women's volleyball on social media (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. 
 
Head coach Courtney Draper led her team to 20 wins in 2018, the most in her time at USF and the most for the program since 2002. The Bulls appeared in the NIVC, the program's first postseason trip since 2002. Senior outside hitter Jac'cara Walker led USF with 394 kills and recorded her 1000^thcareer kill during the 2018 year, on her way to earning first team All-American Athletic Conference honors. USF returns four starters, including its libero, while welcoming 9 newcomers to the fray in 2019 in the form of two transfers and seven freshmen.