USF news roundup: women's soccer & volleyball excel and AAC has a new member
The USF volleyball team remained in first place in the American Athletic Conference following a five-set win over North Texas.
The Bulls won the first two sets but watched the Mean Green storm back in the next two sets to force a decisive fifth set. USF won that one 15-10.
Naiya Sawtelle recorded her 100th career ace for the Bulls to go with 17 kills and Maria Clara Andrade had 25 kills and 12 digs.
The Bulls improved to 4-0 in five-set matches.
Out six AAC games played that night, USF was the only team to win on the road.
Women’s soccer continues strong run
The Bulls beat UTSA 1-0 to close out the home portion of their season and remains tied with Memphis for first place in the conference.
Sadie Sider-Echenberg, the reigning AAC Offensive Player of the Week, scored the lone goal for USF.
The Bulls are 11-2-3 overall and have lost just once in their last 15 games. They will begin play in the AAC Tournament at Lakewood Ranch against an opponent to be determined. The tournament begins November 4.
Men’s soccer will have new AAC opponent next season
The Bulls 2025 schedule just got a little tougher with the announcement that Missouri State joined the AAC as an affiliate member.
The Bears are one of only nine teams to play in each of the last five NCAA tournaments, one of only nine teams to do so. The Bears are 81-13-10 (.827) since the start of the 2019 season, including 10-2-2 this year. That’s good for the No. 15 RPI.
“We are excited to add Missouri State to our league in men’s soccer,” AAC commissioner Tim Pernetti said. “Membership decisions for The American will always focus on creating incremental value and delivering top-tier competition. There is no question that Missouri State makes us stronger in men’s soccer.
“They share our philosophy of providing the highest level of competition and experience for our student-athletes and will help cement our foundation as a consistent multiple-bid conference.”
Missouri State is ranked No. 13 in the most recent United Soccer Coaches poll.
“We are grateful that our men’s soccer team has been invited to join the American Athletic Conference,” Missouri State Athletic Director Patrick Ransdell said. “This move gives Missouri State a unique opportunity to compete in a proven soccer conference and continue its elevation at the national level. It will also provide us with some strong regional matchups against similar programs.”
The addition of Missouri State gives the conference nine teams in men’s soccer beginning with the 2025 season.