Volleyball hits the road with momentum
Before the season started, USF volleyball coach Claire Lessinger said she was eager to see what kind of team she had.
A 6-2 start in which USF’s only losses have come to top 10 teams has given her a pretty good idea.
“I knew the team had the talent to be really good this year,” she said. “I’ve been really pleased with our focus so far, and the girls have done a great job with preparing match-by-match and executing as well as they have.”
Coming off a straight sets win against rival UCF on Tuesday, the Bulls play at College of Charleston (2-7) at 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday against Lafayette (7-1).
This is the Bulls’ second road tournament of the year, as they’ve already captured the Hurricane Invitational in Miami.
One of the reasons for the Bulls’ successful start is senior outside hitter Marcela Gurgel, Lessinger said. Gurgel enters the tournament as only the fourth player in USF history to reach the 1,500-kill plateau.
“She had to come into this team her freshman year and fill a very significant role. The fact that she’s done what she’s done is no surprise to me,” Lessinger said. “Now, she’s surrounded by possibly the most talented team she’s ever had on the floor with her.”
Sophomore libero Janice Rivera has also been a big addition to this year’s team, Lessinger said. Rivera, who transferred to USF from Winthrop before the season, has a team-high 105 digs this year.
“We got really lucky that she expressed interest in transferring here,” Lessinger said. “I don’t even think she’s tapped into what she’s going to mean to this program … She’s a ball hog but in a good way, and that’s what you want your libero to be.”
Senior middle blocker Alli Arbogast is still listed as day-to-day following an elbow injury she picked up Saturday.
“We’re just moving on and making sure Kelsey (Palmer) is ready to fill that role for us and if we get Arbogast back, that’s a big plus,” Lessinger said.
More Stories
USF admin’s response to suicides unclear. What we know so far.
USF’s administration will not say who or how it will prevent future suicides on campus a month after a student leapt from an upper floor balcony of the Interdisciplinary Science Building – the third suicide since fall 2022. The Oracle has asked repeatedly about which USF administrators are overseeing suicide prevention initiatives and how the […]
USF SG leaders look back on campaign accomplishments while on non-speaking terms
Student body president Cesar Esmeraldi and vice president Elizabeth Volmy reached nearly every campaign goal during their term. The one thing that didn’t persevere was their unity. The pair ended their tenure reflecting on it from separate rooms. “We’ve had a great year,” Esmeraldi said. “I’m very happy with everything we’ve built. But because of […]
USF’s ‘Take Back the Night’ allows sexual survivors to share pain, resilience: ‘Recovery isn’t easy.’
A sexual assault survivor, who was the first speaker at Wednesday evening’s “Take Back the Night,” said the hardest day of their life was not when they were assaulted – it was the day after. “When I had to call my mom and tell her how her [child lost their] virginity and tell my therapist […]
USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Take a tranquil stroll down Sycamore Drive. It’s a quieter part of campus, hidden away from the usual hustle and bustle of USF. It’s home to an area colloquially known as “Religious Row,” a collection of on-campus religious organizations. In just a few years – with the construction of an on-campus football stadium – the […]
McKinley Drive closed down for death investigation, Tampa police say
The intersection between Fowler Avenue and McKinley Drive was closed due to a death investigation late Wednesday afternoon, according to the Tampa Police Department (TPD). A man shot himself after making a bomb threat in the parking lot of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), located at 11201 McKinley Drive, according to TPD. Police said […]
USF 2024-25 A&S budget to increase student organization funding in Tampa and St. Pete
The Student Government (SG) Senate approved the 2024-25 Student Activities & Services (A&S) budget for all three campuses this Tuesday, seeing an overall increase in allocated money to student organizations. The vote was 26-0, approving the budget. Related: 2023-24 A&S budget down $5 million from last fiscal year Students pay fees in their tuition – […]