TAMPA, Fla., October 29, 2024 – The University of South Florida volleyball team (12-9, 8-2 AAC) will welcome the Florida Atlantic Owls (13-9, 5-5 AAC) for a midweek matchup on Wednesday at 6 p.m. On Friday, the Bulls will take on the Temple Owls (11-13, 3-7 AAC) at 6 p.m.
 
The Bulls will have their annual Volloween match on Wednesday, with activities starting at 5 p.m. On Friday, the Bulls will honor our military for their Salute to Service match.
 
LAST TIME OUT
South Florida split the weekend, defeating North Texas in five sets, then falling to UTSA in five sets. Naiya Sawtelle reached the 100-ace milestone in the Bulls 3-2 win over North Texas. 
 
Maria Clara Andrade continued her double-digit kill streak for the 15th straight match. She has led the Bulls in kills in the last six matches. Lia Schneider stretched her double-digit dig streak to seven matches.
 
Catharina Scorza made her collegiate debut against UTSA. She had six kills on 10 attempts.
 
ON THE UP & UP
Head coach Jolene Shepardson took over the South Florida volleyball program in 2020. In her first three seasons, including a shortened COVID year, the volleyball program won 23 matches, eight in AAC play. In 2023, the program won 22 matches, 13 in the conference, and a share of the AAC East Division Title.
 
So far this season, the Bulls have won eight conference matches and are tied for first in the conference. 
 
DOUBLE-DIGIT STREAK
Maria Clara Andrade is currently on a 15-match double-digit kill streak. In four of the last 15 matches, Andrade has recorded 20+ kills. Her 25 kills against North Texas were three away from tying her career-high of 28.
 
Naiya Sawtelle is now on a seven-match double-digit kill streak. She started her streak at Temple with 15 kills. At Wichita State, she set a season-high of 20.
 
Lia Schneider has a double-digit dig streak of seven matches. She has registered 20 digs in the last five matches.
 
RANKED FORCES
Nationally, South Florida is ranked in the top 50 in assists per set, kills per set, and team assists. The Bulls' 12.83 assists per set is 23rd nationally and first in the conference. The Bulls are averaging 13.60 kills per set which ranks 33rd in the country and second in the conference. As a team, South Florida has a total of 1,026 assists. They rank 49th in the nation and second in the conference.
 
Caroline Dykes is averaging 10.69 assists per set which ranks 13th nationally. Her 855 total assists rank 17th.
 
Maria Clara Andrade is second in the conference in total kills with 341. She is 24th nationally. She averages 4.26 kills per set which puts her 31st in the nation and first in the conference. Andrade ranks ninth in the nation in most effective outside hitters in the red zone.
 
WEEKEND ROUND UP
FAU Owls (13-9, 5-5 AAC)
Date: Wednesday, October 30 | 6 p.m.
Live Stats: Statistics
Watch: ESPN+
Series vs. Florida Atlantic: South Florida leads, 16-5
Scouting the opponent:

• The Owls have two players with over 200 kills. Katelyn Robine leads with 249, while Valeria Rosado follows with 243.
• Defensively, Madison Dyer and Kaila Ru lead Florida Atlantic in blocks. Dyers has 63 on the season, while Ru has 60.

 
Temple Owls (11-13, 3-7 AAC)
Date: Friday, November 1 | 6 p.m.
Live Stats: Statistics
Watch: ESPN+
Series vs. Temple: South Florida leads, 19-12
Scouting the opponent:

• Taylor Davenport continues to lead the Owls offensively. She averages 4.26 kills per set and has 400 points this season.
• At the net, Chelci Banks leads Temple with 60 blocks this season. She has 23 solo and 37 assists.

 
 
About USF Volleyball
Head coach Jolene Shepardson enters her fifth season at the helm of her alma mater in 2024. 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. Earning the AAC East Division title in 2023, South Florida made a postseason appearance in the NIVC, winning three games and advancing to the Fab Four to mark the longest postseason run in program history. South Florida Volleyball has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances and won 12 conference titles since its inception in 1972. The Bulls play in The Corral (1,000), located 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.