GoUSFBulls.com Bulls Win Blackbird Invitational with Straight-Sets Defeat of Holy Cross

[Brad]

USF ATHLETICS GoUSFBulls.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Web Link: https://bit.ly/2oSHNaG

 

Bulls Win Blackbird Invitational with Straight-Sets Defeat of Holy Cross 
USF off to its best start since 1996

BROOKLYN, N.Y., SEPTEMBER 8, 2018 – The USF volleyball team put it all together on Saturday morning with its first straight-sets victory of the year, defeating Holy Cross to go a perfect 3-0 at this weekend’s Blackbird Invitational, hosted by LIU Brooklyn. 

The Bulls (8-1) and Crusaders (1-9) were in a battle in the opening set, as consecutive kills from redshirt senior middle blocker Clara Payne (Osteen, Fla.) and junior outside hitter Jac’cara Walker (Gainesville, Fla.) tilted the score to 25-23. USF owned the second set, 25-14, then faced a 8-4 deficit in the third set. The Bulls turned things around and eventually grabbed a 14-8 lead in the set, never looking back. 

Walker led the way with 11 kills. Senior setter Briana Stowell (Orlando) had her second double-double of the weekend with 32 assists and 10 digs. She also added three more aces and totaled seven at the tournament.

Quotables

Head coach Courtney Draper talking about the 3-0 weekend:

"I’m really proud of the team effort this weekend. Everyone has a silent confidence about them right now and going 3-0 this weekend feels great. Our opponents continue to challenge us in difference ways, yet this team keeps rising to the occasion.”  

Notables

• The 8-1 start to the year is the best for the program since 1996. USF began that season 11-1 before suffering its second loss. 
• Payne led USF with 36 kills in Brooklyn, swinging .357.
• Sophomore middle blocker Jaeden Brown (Hollywood, Fla.) had 31 kills and 20 total blocks at Blackbird Invitational. She recorded seven in each of the final two matches.
• Stowell had 115 assists and 31 digs at the tournament.
• Walker had 28 kills and 23 digs in the three matches.

Key Stats

98 – Head coach Courtney Draper sits at career 98 wins at USF. 

1 – The Bulls are one of just two teams in The American with only one loss. Houston is 9-1, followed by Cincinnati with a 7-2 record. 

Up Next

The Bulls return home for the final tournament of the year, as they host the Tiger Classic Sept. 14-15. USF will face North Dakota, UNC Charlotte and the University of New Orleans.