A tough season for South Florida's volleyball team turned a little better in the Bulls' most recent outing. They took down preseason American Conference favorite Rice in three sets at the Corral to move to 2-1 in conference play.
The scores were 25-17, 25-15, and 25-23 behind Paula Tomasa's match-high 13 kills. It was her ninth game of the season with double-digit kills. Addy Brus recorded back-to-back matches with double-digit kills, including 10 kills against the Owls.
USF's overall 3-10 record demands closer inspection. Head coach Jolene Shephardson put together what was ranked as the seventh-toughest non-conference schedule in the country. Although the Bulls were frequently competitive in that gauntlet, they entered conference play with a 1-9 record.
That became 1-10 when they fell in three sets at Tulsa to open conference play, but the Bulls have rallied since then. They knocked off Wichita State in four sets to get their first conference win before taking out Rice in their American home opener.
The Bulls will try to keep it going on Sunday when they welcome Temple to the Corral at 1 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN+.
George Kiefer's first season back at USF's men's soccer coach is not going as planned. The Bulls are currently have lost seven of their last eight games following a 1-0 setback on Friday at FIU. Only a scoreless tie against Tulsa on September interrupted the streak.
The setback at FIU dropped the Bulls to 1-8-1 overall. They have not won since beating West Florida 3-1 on August 23.
USF is 0-3-1 in conference play. They'll try to get their first league win on October 11 when they travel to Charlotte, but before that there is a non-conference home match against Stetson on October 6.
Kiefer During coached the Bulls from 2002 to 2016 and had a tremendous amount of success. The Bulls were162-86-51 on his watch with four conference championships and 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.
He returned to USF last December after stops at North Carolina State and Grand Canyon University.
After opening American Conference play with a pair of draws, the women's soccer team fell 3-0 at Florida Atlantic.
The setback dropped USF to 2-5-3 overall and 0-1-2 in the American.
The Bulls will try to pick up their first conference win on Thursday when they return to Corbett Stadium against UTSA at 7 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
Fans in attendance will receive breast cancer awareness rally towels while supplies last.
Kristy Curry's first tour of the American Conference as USF's women's basketball coach will begin at North Texas on December 30.
They will quickly return home against UTSA on January 2 followed by Tulsa on January 6.
A highlight on the schedule could come on February 20 when USF hosts Rice. The Owls were 29-6 last season and are ranked 25th nationally in the Hoops HQ preseason poll .
USF opens the regular season on November 2 at home against Furman.
This article was originally published on www.greengoldandbold.com as USF roundup: Volleyball improving, soccer struggles, & schedule set for women's hoops .
