USF volleyball nabs highest-ranked program win in Gator Tournament

Graduate student outside hitter Naily Sawtelle hitting the ball on Friday night’s game against Florida. USF ATHLETICS PHOTO

USF volleyball delivered an electrifying performance in their second tournament of the season, beating their highest-ranked opponent yet, then-No.10 Florida.

The 3-2 victory is South Florida’s first-ever in Gainesville. It also broke the 1996 record for highest-ranked program win when the Bulls beat Louisville, which was ranked No. 17

The Bulls won the game against the Gators with scores of 15-25, 25-22, 12-25, 25-23 and 15-10.

Coach Jolene Shepardson said she was impressed the team was able to do that at the Gators’ own home turf.

“[I’m] beyond ecstatic about beating Florida,” Shepardson said. “We make those big jumps in our program for the alumni, for our universities. It’s huge, right?”

Junior outside hitters Maria Clara Andrade and Ally Cavanaugh had 18 kills each against the Gators.

After their weekend performance, Cavanaugh was selected ACC Offensive Player of The Week. She was also chosen for the Florida Invitational All-Tournament Team.

Senior setter Caroline Dykes was also selected as ACC Setter Of The Week.

The weekend was a redemption from USF’s first tournament, the FSU Invitational on Aug. 30 to Sept. 1. The Bulls failed to secure a single win in any of the games they played against FSU, No. 25 Georgia and UCSB.

For the second game of the tournament on Saturday, the Bulls had another strong performance beating Ohio State 3-2.

South Florida defeated Ohio State with scores of 18-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-18 and 15-12.

The Bulls achieved their first-ever victory over the Buckeyes, who made it to the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four seasons.

Cavanaugh led the team again with 19 kills. It’s her second back-to-back match with over 15 kills.

Shepardson said she was proud of her team’s performance in the tournament, particularly of their endurance.

“So happy with my young women and what they did to handle the pressure and put pressure on our opponent because that’s all we’re dealing with nowadays, is that mental strength,” Shepardson said.

The Bulls’ last win from the weekend came against Southern Indiana 3-0 on Sunday, by 25-18, 25-21 and 25-14.

Dykes dished out 39 assists and had 10 digs for her third double-double of the weekend.

USF comes back in action in their home opener against North Florida in the South Florida invitational at The Corral on Thursday.