The volleyball team was unable to win the UB Invite it hosted last weekend in Alumni Arena. But Buffalo had better luck down south.
The Bulls (4-3) defeated Florida International (2-4) and South Carolina State (0-5) Saturday to win the University at South Florida Invite after opening the tournament with a 3-2 loss to South Florida (1-3). Junior outside hitter Tahleia Bishop was named tournament MVP.
“[Friday’s loss] was unfortunate and disappointing. However, we bounced back and rebounded well over the weekend,” said head coach Reed Sunahara. “They didn’t allow that result to affect them over the weekend. We played well against FIU and came out strong against South Carolina State. I was pleased with their overall performance.”
South Florida defeated Buffalo in five sets Friday 25-23, 18-25, 25-12, 29-31, 16-14. The Bulls led 14-13 in the final set, but South Florida earned the last three points to win the set and the match.
Junior setter Megan Lipski finished with 19 kills and 14 digs, sophomore setter Megan Lin had a team-high 21 digs and Bishop finished with a game-high 22 kills.
Buffalo lost just one set between its two matches over Florida International and South Carolina State Saturday.
“We’re getting better,” Sunahara said. “They’re understanding my expectations of them. I wanted them to compete hard. Apply what we do in practice in game situations. It’s coming along – slowly – but coming along. I liked how we fought and battled out there.”
The Bulls had five players with double-digit kills in their 3-1 victory over Florida International. Bishop, again, had a game-high in kills, finishing with 19 while also adding 19 digs. Lin and freshman libero Niki Bozinoski combined for 26 digs.
The Bulls handled South Carolina State in straight sets 25-18, 25-9, 25-19 to claim the tournament title.
Bishop finished the weekend with a team-best 51 kills and added 39 digs. Lipski and Staller both made the All-Tournament team. Lipski finished the weekend with 36 kills and 32 digs, while Staller finished with 20 kills and 16 digs.
Buffalo heads to Chicago, Illinois next weekend to play in the UIC Tournament. Its first game of the tournament is against Western Illinois (0-6) Sept. 12 at 5 p.m.
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Photo: Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics
