MEMPHIS, Tenn. (October 22, 2021) – The University of South Florida Bulls (6-14, 0-9 AAC) overcame a 2-0 match deficit to force a decisive fifth set on Friday night at Memphis (9-12, 2-7 AAC) only to see the Tigers rally late in the final game to prevail on their home court.

Memphis outlasted South Florida by scores of 25-22, 25-23, 16-25, 21-25, 16-14.

Marta Cvitkovic (Rijeka, Croatia) led all players with 17 kills and Ragan Kinard (Lynn Haven) floored a career-high 11 kills in the setback.

Amiree Hendricks-Walker (Los Angeles) finished the match with eight kills, including four in the third set to spark the USF comeback bid. The Bulls hit .333 in that set while Memphis was eyeing a sweep after taking a 2-0 match lead.

In set four, the Bulls limited the Tigers to a negative hitting percentage while registering three of their 10 blocks on the night.

Kills by Cvitkovic, Kinard and a pair by Hendricks-Walker gave USF a 13-8 advantage in the final set before Memphis rattled off six unanswered points to take its first lead of the game. The Tigers ultimately thwarted the Bulls' comeback attempt in the match by going on an 8-1 scoring run to close the fifth set.

Notable

• Cvitkovic is averaging 20 kills over her last two matches.
• CC Clausen (The Woodlands, Texas) led all players with 14 digs on Friday.
• Kelsey O'Loughlin (Fort Lauderdale) and Eke Denessen (Venlo, Netherlands) combined for 54 assists.
• Tizi Puljiz (Resistencia, Argentina) recorded a team-high six blocks.
• USF tallied eight service aces but was plagued by a season-high 18 service errors.
• The Bulls have now fallen in five sets four times during AAC play.

Up Next

The Bulls conclude their road trip at SMU on Sunday at 2 p.m.

About USF Volleyball

Head coach Jolene Shepardson enters her second season at the helm of her alma mater in 2021-22. Named head coach on Jan. 8, 2020, Shepardson led the Bulls' program to its last conference championship and NCAA tournament appearance as a student-athlete in 2002. USF made its last postseason appearance in 2018, posting 20 wins and appearing in the NIVC. USF Volleyball has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances and won 12 conference titles since its inception in 1972 and is entering its 50th campaign in 2021-22. The Bulls play in The Corral (1,000), adjacent to the Yuengling Center on the USF campus.
 
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. 

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