TAMPA – The University of South Florida volleyball team (9-17, 6-8 AAC) is eyeing their third conference win in the last four matches when the Bulls visit UConn (14-11, 8-6 AAC) on Friday, Nov. 13. The match will be held at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion and begin at 2:30 p.m.
WHAT TO KNOW
· USF has won two of its final three matches including a 3-0 home victory over East Carolina (Nov. 6)
· Junior outside hitter
Dakota Hampton has recorded 11 consecutive double-doubles
· Sophomore middle blocker
Joli Holland boasts a team-best .336 hitting percentage
· The Bulls are 7-7 all-time against Connecticut including five straight victories over the Huskies
· USF is looking for their third straight road victory at UConn
THE OPPONENT
UConn is currently tied for third place in the AAC standings. The Huskies' six-match winning streak was snapped with a 3-1 defeat at Houston (Nov. 6). Connecticut rebounded from the loss with a 3-2 win over Tulane (Nov. 8) in their last match. Jade Strawberry leads the Huskies with 281 kills and 2.96 kills/set. Rebecca Rivera (543) and Emma Turner (418) have contributed to most of the team's 1138 sets. Kennedy Arundel boasts 351 digs this season, most on the UConn stat sheet.
THE COACHES
USF is led by fourth year head coach Courtney Draper.
UConn is guided by Kris Grunwald in his second season as Huskies head coach.
HISTORY
USF and Connecticut have split the meetings against each other (7-7). The Bulls are 2-4 all-time at UConn, including back to back wins at Gampel Pavilion (2013, 2014). USF has won the last four overall meetings.
Last five meetings:
|
Date
|
Location
|
USF
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
|
Sept. 27, 2015
|
Tampa, Fla.
|
3
|
1
|
W
|
|
Nov. 9, 2014
|
Storrs, Conn.
|
3
|
1
|
W
|
|
Oct. 3, 2014
|
Tampa, Fla.
|
3
|
1
|
W
|
|
Nov. 8, 2013
|
Storrs, Conn.
|
3
|
0
|
W
|
|
Oct. 6, 2013
|
Tampa, Fla.
|
3
|
0
|
W
|
LAST TIME OUTThe Bulls won 3-0 at home against East Carolina (Nov. 6), completing a season sweep of the Pirates. Junior outside hitter
Dakota Hampton recorded a match-high 11 kills and 10 digs for a double-double. Freshman setter
Molly Burkhardt also tallied 19 sets and added 13 digs. USF hit .259 as a team in the victory.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE DAKOTA
With another double-double in the last match, Dakota Hampton has now posted a double-double in 11 consecutive matches. The last time Hampton did not record a double-double was over a month ago, when the Bulls hosted Houston (Oct. 2).
HEATING UP
USF has won two of their last three matches, and a victory over UConn on Friday would give the Bulls three victories in their last four opportunities.
UP NEXT
USF continues its road trip at Temple on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 1:00 p.m.
