USF volleyball prepares for difficult test in No. 1 Penn State
As the USF volleyball team prepares for its showdown with No. 1 Penn State on Saturday night at the Sun Dome, here are four things to watch:
How sweep it is
During its current seven-match losing streak, the Bulls (2-7) have won only two sets — Missouri on Sept. 5, Georgia Tech on Sept. 11. The Nittany Lions (8-0), meanwhile, haven’t lost since last October and have won 24 consecutive sets.
Block party
Averaging 3.63 blocks per set this season, Penn State holds a 83-30 advantage over its opponents in blocking margin. USF is even at 19-19.
Bulls have experience
USF coach Courtney Draper said her team won’t be intimidated by Penn State, because of its experience at No. 4 Nebraska on Sunday. Though the Cornhuskers swept the Bulls, USF managed to keep it close in the final two sets.
“We got a little taste of what one of the top five teams in the country, so I think that helped us prepare quite a bit,” Draper said.
‘Just have fun’
Most of all, Draper just wants her players to enjoy the chance to play the defending national champions.
“To be able to host them on our home floor is just something that is really exciting,” she said.
More Stories
COLUMN: Cherish the press box moments
I still remember standing at mid-field as USF Football celebrated its Boca Raton Bowl win over Syracuse. Picture this scene: The crowd rushes to the field to surround the team and catch a glimpse of the Boca Raton Bowl trophy. “Go Bulls” echoed throughout the stadium, and green and gold confetti was everywhere. I soaked […]
Here’s how these undrafted USF football players’ careers turned out
Ahead of Thursday’s NFL Draft, many players wait in anticipation to hear their names called in the first round. For some, it’s an instant ticket to stardom. But being selected on the first day of the draft isn’t the only route to a successful career. Fifteen former undrafted NFL players are enshrined in the NFL […]
Column: USF men’s basketball, thanks for the fun season
This is a personal column about assistant sports editor Noah Vinsky’s first-hand experience covering men’s basketball. Sports have always run in my blood. Growing up, ESPN was nearly on a constant loop on my living room television. I came to USF knowing I wanted to be a writer. The Oracle seemed like a great place […]
USF’s Mindy McCord builds culture of “family and love” into lacrosse
At 23 years old, a career in coaching was not what Mindy McCord had envisioned. After a stint playing for one of the top field hockey teams in Australia following a successful college playing career, she returned to America. McCord was on track to earn a master’s degree in counseling at Virginia Tech while coaching […]
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 […]
Here’s why these USF softball players chose their jersey numbers
For athletes, the number they wear is more than the added fabric on the back of their jersey. It often tells a deeper story about the players — who they are and where they come from. Here’s why these three USF softball players chose their respective jersey numbers. Related: USF softball is gaining momentum during […]