GoUSFBulls.com Bulls Improve to 2-0 with Win over Mercer

[Brad]

USF ATHLETICS

 GoUSFBulls.com

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Bulls Improve to 2-0 with Win over Mercer

Austin posts team-high 22 kills; Mendoza notches career-high 52 assists

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 27, 2016 – The University of South Florida volleyball team (2-0) stayed undefeated in the young 2016 season with a 3-1 victory (24-26,25-14,25-12,25-23) against Mercer (1-2) on Saturday afternoon.

The Bulls have won both of their matches so far in the Charlotte Invitational and will now play the host 49ers on Saturday night at 7 p.m.

USF trailed early in the opening set against the Bears but six straight points for the Bulls created a 14-10 edge. The advantage was only short lived, however, as Mercer surged back late to take the first set. Senior right side hitter Elyse Panick (Chicago, Ill.) recorded five kills and four digs in the set.

Trailing one set to none, USF turned a three point lead mid-way through the set into a convincing 25-12 victory, evening up the match. Senior outside hitter T’ara Austin (Joliet, Ill.) notched six kills in the set on her way to a season-high 22 kills. 

“We lost early after Mercer went on a run but we stayed composed,” said Austin. “Alex (Mendoza) really set up our offense with one-on-one situations and Amy (Van Sant) had some amazing digs. All of our hitters remained reliable as well. I feel like Mercer had great defense but we just outplayed them.”

Set three was all USF as the Bulls leapt ahead 17-7 and increased the advantage late for the convincing decision.

Ahead two sets to one, USF was tied with Mercer at 22 in the fourth set. The Bulls then claimed three of the final four points to win the match.

“We started off a little slow but the more and more this lineup is together, the more chemistry we are starting to build,” said senior outside hitter Dakota Hampton (Orland Park, Ill.)

Key Stat:

·   After holding Campbell to a .035 hitting percentage in a win on Friday, the Bulls also limited Mercer to a .087 hitting percentage in the victory on Saturday.

Notables:

·   This is the second straight season that the Bulls have started 2-0 to begin the season.

·   USF posted a .357 hitting percentage in the third set while holding Mercer to a -.107 hitting percentage.

·   Hampton registered a career-high 23 digs along with 13 kills.

·   Mendoza (Minneola, Fla.) set a new career-best with 52 assists.

·   Panick reached a new career-high with 21 digs. She also had nine kills.

·   Junior middle blocker Joli Holland (Dublin, Calif.) tallied 11 kills.

Up Next:

The Charlotte Invitational title is up for grabs at 7 p.m.as the 49ers host the Bulls at Halton Arena. Fans can watch live HERE.

 

[Ionbull]

So far, a week in, the Fall Bulls haven't lost a game/match. Gooooo VBall!

[Dogma]

Bulls win the 3rd game with a 3-0 sweep of Charlotte.

 

[Ionbull]

Awesome! I believe next they come home and host a tourney in the corral. I've never actually watched a vball game. How is it?

[CousinRicky]

17 hours ago, Ionbull said:

Awesome! I believe next they come home and host a tourney in the corral. I've never actually watched a vball game. How is it?

We try to get to at least one per year.  It is a whole lot of fun.  Much more entertaining than I would have guessed before going.