USF Volleybulls advance with four-set win over UAB to open the ACC tournament

Come tournament time, the mantra for every team is “survive and advance. Top-seeded USF did just that Friday in the opening round of the American Athletic Conference tournament against 8th-seeded UAB.

The Bulls needed four sets to dispatch the Blazers, and after cruising in the opening set, the final three were battles for USF. The Bulls prevailed 25-13, 25-23, 13-25, 25-22.

The final set featured 12 ties and six lead changes. The final lead change was when the Bulls went on a 5-0 run to take the 23-20 lead and went on to close it out.

They advance to Saturday’s semifinal at 3 p.m. against Wichita State, which is hosting the event. ESPN+ will carry the event.

The winner moves on to the championship game on Sunday. The winner automatically advances to the NCAA Tournament.

Naiya Sawtelle led USF with with 15 kills, stretching her double-digit kill streak to 14 matches. Ally Cavanaugh added 10 kills, adding a block assist, and Caroline Dykes had 42 assists and 10 digs for her 11th double-double this season.