TAMPA, Fla., November 7, 2024 – The University of South Florida volleyball team (14-9, 10-2 AAC) heads to North Carolina for a pair of matches against the Charlotte 49ers (5-20, 2-10 AAC) and the East Carolina Pirates (16-6, 9-3 AAC) to close out the regular season road conference schedule.
 
The Bulls and 49ers will start the weekend with a 6 p.m. match on Friday. On Sunday, the Bulls look to stay ahead of the Pirates with a match at 1 p.m.
 
LAST TIME OUT
South Florida defeated the Florida Atlantic Owls on Wednesday and completed the season sweep over Temple on Friday. Maria Clara Andrade and Naiya Sawtelle stretched their double-digit kill streak to 17 and nine, respectively. Lia Schneider set a career-high of 27 digs against FAU and continued her double-digit dig streak to nine. Jazeli Vandenburgh set a career-high of three service aces in the win over FAU.
 
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 a total of 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 10 conference matches and are tied for first in the conference. 
 
DOUBLE-DIGIT STREAK
Maria Clara Andrade is currently on a 17-match double-digit kill streak. In four of the last 17 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 nine-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 nine matches. She has registered 20 digs in six the last nine matches. Schneider set a career-high of 27 digs against FAU.
 
ON THE WAY TO 4K
Since joining the Bulls in 2023, Caroline Dykes has surpassed the 2,000 and 3,000 assist mark. Nearing the end of the 2024 regular season, Dykes is 25 assists away from reaching 4,000.
 
When Dykes reaches 4,000 career assists, she will become the 15th or 16th active DI setter to reach the milestone. Syd Cole from Northern Colorado is ahead of Dykes with 3,989 assists.
 
WEEKEND ROUND UP
Charlotte 49ers (5-20, 2-10 AAC)
Date: Friday, November 8 | 6 p.m.
Live Stats: Statistics
Watch: ESPN+
Series vs. Charlotte: South Florida leads, 9-2
Scouting the opponent:

• Charlotte is coming off a thrilling five-set win at Tulane on Sunday.
• Kristen Birmingham leads the 49ers in kills, averaging 3.37 per set, and digs, averaging 2.43 per set.
• Three 49ers have served over 20 aces this season. Lara Kretschmer leads with 28, Selanny Puente follows with 27, and Maddie Stuesser has 23.  

 
East Carolina Pirates (16-6, 9-3 AAC)
Date: Sunday, November 10 | 1 p.m.
Live Stats: Statistics
Watch: ESPN+
Series vs. ECU: South Florida leads, 17-9
Scouting the opponent:

• ECU is coming off a 3-0 sweep over UAB on Sunday, stretching its win streak to six matches. The Pirates play Tulsa on Friday, before welcoming the Bulls.
• Fran McBride leads the Pirates in kills this season, averaging 2.82 per set.
• Defensively, Lara Uyar has dug 291 balls, averaging 3.78 per set.

 
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 to a conference championship and the program's last NCAA tournament appearance as a student-athlete in 2002. South Florida won the AAC East Division title in 2023, made a postseason appearance in the NIVC, won three matches, and advanced 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 in Tampa.
 
Be sure to follow USF women's volleyball on social media (X / Instagram / Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.