USF Loses Close Match To Seton Hall

[Brad]

Courtesy USF

USF Loses Close Match To Seton Hall

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The University of South Florida volleyball team lost a close match to Seton Hall, 3-2 (26-30, 32-30, 30-28, 26-30, 15-10), on Sunday afternoon at Walsh Gymnasium.

With the loss the Bulls record stands at 15-7, 6-4 BIG EAST. Seton Hall record improves to 13-11, 4-7 BIG EAST.

Three USF players tallied double-doubles on the day. Senior Kristina Fabris netted 12 kills and tallied a new personal best 26 digs. Sophomore Marcela Gurgel paced the way for the offense with 26 kills and added 12 digs, while freshman setter Mariana Thon posted her second-career double-double with 59 assists and 13 digs.

The Bulls struggled on the offensive side and could not put together a consistent attack, getting out-hit .234 to .208. The Bulls were strong on the defensive side of the ball, tallying more digs (88 to 81) and blocks (15.0 to 7.0) to the Pirates, the solid effort could not carry the team. 

The first game was close form the start and featured 11 tie scores and six lead changes. With the score knotted 19-19, the Bulls broke ahead by going on a 5-1 run for a 24-20 lead. USF maintained the advantage the rest of the way and won the first set, 30-26. Even though the Bulls out-hit the Pirates .278 to .132, USF’s defense at the net proved to be key, out-blocking SHU 7.0 to 1.0.

Seton Hall opened up game two strong, going on an 8-1 run. Despite the Pirates maintaining their advantage most of the way, the Bull slowly chipped into the lead and eventually cut it down to two points, 19-17. SHU quickly scored two points to regain the advantage, but the Bulls countered by going on a 6-1 run to lead by one, 23-22. Both teams battled each other closely the remainder of the way, with the score knotted on eight occasions. After Seton Hall had two chances to score the game point and couldn’t do so, the Pirates closed out for the win on the third chance, 32-20. 

With USF trailing 4-3, the Bulls scored four unanswered points for a 7-4 lead. With the score 14-10 in USF’s favor, the Pirates went on a 5-1 run to tie the score, 15-15. After both teams traded points, SHU used an 11-4 run to jump ahead, 27-21. The Bulls countered by scoring six unanswered points to tie the score, 27-27, but the Pirates closed out with a 3-1 run for the 30-28 victory. 

With the Bulls needing to win game four to stay alive, USF opened up with the lead and stayed ahead most of the way. With the Bulls leading 18-15, SHU went on a 6-2 run to take its first lead, 21-20. After both teams traded points, USF regained the lead, 26-24. After the Pirates scored a quick point, the Bulls went on a 4-1 run to get the win, 30-26. 

Both teams fought hard from the start of the fifth and deciding game. After SHU took the early lead, 7-3, the Bulls answered by going on a 5-1 run to knot the score, 8-8. Both teams traded points and then the Pirates eventually jumped ahead by three, 12-9. USF countered by scoring a point, but it could not come any closer as Seton Hall went on to win, 15-10.

USF will look to get back on the winning track when it travels to DePaul and Notre Dame next weekend.