FORT MYERS (August 27, 2021) – The University of South Florida Bulls (0-1) suffered a straight set loss to Rutgers University (1-0) on Friday afternoon as the teams opened their respective 2021 campaigns. Rutgers took the match by set scores of 25-23, 25-16, 25-14.

The Bulls began the first set on a 4-1 run over the Scarlet Knights on a block by Ally Barnhart (Lenexa, Kan.) and Makayla Washington (Tallahassee, Fla.). A back-and-forth contest ensued from there with Rutgers pulling in front late, 17-14. USF answered with three straight points to tie the game at 17-17 on an ace by Barnhart.

The Scarlet Knights answered with a three-point run of their own and never relinquished the lead again.

Washington floored four kills in the opening set before slipping on the court late in the game, and she would not return. Already playing short-handed in the match, the Bulls' offense was not able to overcome the absence of Washington over the final two sets.

Marta Cvitkovic (Rijeka, Croatia) came on strong over the next two sets and finished the match with a team-high eight kills. Freshmen Ragan Kinard (Lynn Haven, Fla.) and Tizi Puljiz (Resistencia, Argentina) combined for seven kills in their first collegiate match.

Barnhart led USF in blocks (5) and service aces (3) on Friday. CC Clausen (The Woodlands, Texas) paced the team with 13 digs.

Up Next

The Bulls will have a quick turnaround at the FGCU Invitational with two chances to bounce back on Saturday. USF begins the day with a 10 a.m. match against UMBC wraps up with host FGCU at 7 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 50^th 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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