Even against FSU, volleyball can’t get a win

The frustration continues for the USF volleyball team.

The Bulls (0-7) jumped out ahead of Florida State (2-5), winning the first game 30-23, but dropped the next three, 22-30, 25-30 and 28-30, for their seventh loss of the year.

“I think anyone would get frustrated with seven losses,” sophomore Kristina Fabris said. “It’s very, very frustrating, but I’m sure we’ll pull through.”

The Bulls faced a Seminoles team that is struggling just as much as USF is this season.

“(FSU) was really similar to us; I felt like we were kind of looking at ourselves in the mirror,” coach Claire Lessinger said.

In the first game the Bulls had 12 kills to FSU’s 16, but the big difference in the game was the 10 errors by the Seminoles. The Bulls executed well in the first game but could not continue their good play through the rest of the match.

“We haven’t had a lot of success and haven’t won a lot of games,” Lessinger said. “Unfortunately we went into Game 2 thinking (Game 1) was too easy.”

The Bulls dropped Game 2 mainly because of an offense that registered only nine kills and a hit percentage of .025.

“We let them back into the match,” Lessinger said. “It was a battle from there.”

The Bulls fought hard, but having to rely heavily on young players, they dropped the next two games.

“There was a time we had four freshman on the floor and two sophomores,” Lessinger said. “We’re trying to find kids that want to step up in crunch time. That kind of stuff takes time.”

Lessinger did like some of the things she saw from her young team.

“We showed some maturity today on the court,” Lessinger said. “We came in with a game plan, and they executed it really well in Game 1.”

One bright spot for the Bulls was the play of Fabris.

“Kristina had a really good game,” Lessinger said. “I think she had 12 first-wing kills, that’s something we ask a lot of her.”

Fabris led the Bulls with 21 kills and she also tallied 11 digs for her fourth career double-double.

The Bulls have been swept by their last five opponents and have won only three games in their seven matches this season.

Even though the losses are starting to pile up, Lessinger insists on keeping a positive attitude.

“I try not to dwell on it, with them or with myself. You want to keep your sanity,” Lessinger said. “We have to stay realistic and we have to stay positive so these girls keep working hard to get the win that they deserve.”