The Fletch Report: November 20th, 2023

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Welcome back to The Fletch Report, your go-to weekly newsletter dedicated to bringing you the latest on University of South Florida's Olympic Sports. In this concise and informative newsletter, we'll dive into the highlights of the previous week's athletic events and matches, while also offering a glimpse of what's on the horizon.

USF Weekly Honors

Both of the USF basketball teams are in full swing, volleyball is close to wrapping up the season, and the fall seasons are coming to a close:

• Jayden Reid was named AAC Freshman of the Week for USF men’s basketball.
• Carla Brito was named to the AAC Honor roll for women’s basketball
• Maria Clara Andrade was named to the AAC Honor Roll for women’s volleyball.

USF Women’s Basketball: Shaking off the Rust

Sensational Freshmen: USF women’s basketball had three games this past week, and opened with a matchup against Grambling on this past Monday night. The Bulls were lead by sensational freshman Vittoria Blasigh who went for a career high 21 points in an 83-57 win over the Tigers.

Emma Johannson went for a career high 12 points herself and added 9 rebounds in extended action. The Swede hit a silky three to extend the Bulls lead to 30-15 in the 2nd quarter, putting the game well out of reach.

USF is still looking for their chemistry and replacing three of their most proficient scorers from last season (Elena and Dulcy graduated, Sammie is still sidelined with an injury), but the Bulls gathered 21 assists on the team. Turnovers are an issue, with 28 on the night leading to a closer score line than one would initially think.

Blasted by ‘Bama: After starting the year 3-0 at home, USF traveled to Alabama to take on the Crimson Tide, but were absolutely blasted by ‘Bama, 70-41, to drop to 3-1 on the year.

USF was able to keep it relatively close in the 1st quarter, trailing the undefeated Tide 17-10 after one period, but were outscored 16-6 in the 2nd to pull away and ran away with it in the 3rd 23-12.

Blasigh had another fantastic game, going for 18 points on the night to pace the Bulls, she was followed by Brito who had 8 points and 11 rebounds. The Tide kept a 48-37 rebounding margin to keep the Bulls at bay for second chance points.

Skimmed by the Ospreys: Looking to rebound from a tough loss at Alabama, USF was up big against UNF but allowed the Ospreys to claw their way back into the game before falling just short. The Bulls escaped with a 56-55 victory on Sunday afternoon.

USF lead by as many as 15 points in the 2nd quarter, lead by an absolutely incredible Vittoria Blasigh again. The Italian freshman went for a career high 27 points by going 7-12 on 3s to lead the Bulls. However, the Bulls went ice cold in the 2nd half to put the Ospreys in position to take the lead and even win the game at the end.

The Bulls had the advantage in rebounds 43-27, but again, turnovers haunt this team, and a second half full-court press by UNF forced 15 turnovers by the Bulls.

Looking Ahead: USF women’s basketball will head to the U.S. Virgin Islands this holiday weekend to take part of the Paradise Jam. Playing High Point, Arizona State, and Texas on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday respectively.

USF Men’s Basketball: Also Shaking off the Rust

Ice Cold Chippewas: After a resounding opening night victory over South Carolina State, USF looked to continue the momentum against Central Michigan in the Yuengling Center, but an ice cold shooting performance gave the visitors a 68-63 victory over USF.

Chris Youngblood hit a 3 at the 11:39 mark to bring the score to 14-12 in favor of Central Michigan, but after that, USF wouldn’t hit another 3 all night. Youngblood finished the night with 20 points, and the Bulls spent the entire night chasing to try to cut into the CMU lead.

The Chippewas shot lights out from 3 in the first half to carry momentum, but only lead by 2 at halftime (was tied by a goaltending call was overturned during halftime).

In the second, it was much of the same, CMU was able to hit 3s and USF was not. Corey Walker went for 9 points and 9 rebounds, his rebounds lead the team where USF had a 36-35 rebounding advantage. But the poor 3 point shooting couldn’t be overcame and USF drops to 1-1 on the year.

Rebounded Against Northern Iowa: Looking to move past their ice cold night against CMU, USF welcomed Northern Iowa to Tampa Sunday night. USF used an 18-0 in the 1st half to mount a lead that the Panthers could not overcome in a 74-65 victory for the Green and Gold.

After UNI hit a 3 to go up 17-9 in the first 10 minutes, USF turned up the defense and turned up the shot selection to go on a massive run that spanned the last 10 minutes of the first half. Kasean Pryor hit a 3 to tie the game at 17, and then the Bulls ran with it from there.

Jose Placer lead the Bulls with a 21 points on 8-11 shooting, Kobe Knox also found double figures with 13 points on 5-11 shooting. Chris Youngblood didn’t make a bucket on the floor, but went 8-8 on the charity stripe, part of the Bulls 83% FT percentage (15-18).

Most importantly though, the Bulls improved their 3 point shooting on the evening, going 7-21 (33%), including a handful to stretch their lead to 18 with less than 7 minutes to go in the 2nd half.

Looking Ahead: USF men’s basketball will welcome Maine to the Yuengling Center on Wednesday before Thanksgiving, tip-off at 7 p.m.

USF Volleyball: CHAMPS OF THE EAST

AAC East Crowns: USF women’s volleyball, yes THAT USF women’s volleyball program, the one that won only 9 conference games the previous 4 seasons combined, has WON the AAC East Division after splitting the series with FAU in Boca this past Thursday and Friday.

Things got a little dicey, with FAU winning game 1 of the match up 3-1. The Bulls had a chance to tie the set 2-2 in the 4th to try to force a fifth set and clinch the division, but FAU mounted a comeback to win the 4th set 27-25 and tie the Bulls for first place in the east.

So it all came down to Friday, a win would give the Bulls a share of the AAC east crown and a loss will clinch it for FAU.

USF took the first set 25-19 thanks to some timely aces and kills by Caroline Dykes and Maria Clara Andrade. The Bulls cruised through set two 25-16, and with FAU clawing their way back in the third set, the Bulls secured the third set, the game, and at least a share of the East crown with, of course, a Kill from none other than Maria Clara Andrade.

The title ends a 21 year drought of hardware for the USF volleyball team, where now USF coach Joel Shepherdson last won a trophy for the Bulls in 2002. The whole thing comes full circle for a coach who desperately was in need for some positive momentum for her program during the rebuild she took over.

Looking Ahead: USF can win the AAC East outright with a victory over Rice on Wednesday at 12:30. Elsewhere, FAU will travel to Tulane looking for a share of the crown.

Other USF Sports in Action

There was none! How convenient for this sports writer.