The Dons prepare for about as tough a test as any one team can face this week as they take on WCC powerhouses in BYU and San Diego. First up will be a tilt with the Cougars (24-3, 13-2 WCC) who are currently sitting atop the WCC standings while being the 10th ranked team in the AVCA coaches poll. Then on Saturday the task gets no easier when the Toreros of San Diego (22-4, 13-2 WCC) come to town. They are tied with BYU for first in the WCC and sit right behind them at 11th in the country.

For the Dons to post an upset of the year, it will take a quick start that takes advantage of being back home after three straight on the road. "One of the big benefits for San Diego and BYU is their home court advantage," USF head coach Vicki Brown explained. "There is a difference in a team playing home versus away, they won't have the momentum or energy that they do at home."

When it comes to locking-in early, coach Brown knows who she will look to in order the accomplish a fast start. "Kim (Gutierrez) is definitely one of the kids who can, with her sound ability to play defense against a strong middle attacking team and the ability to switch and read the two outsides and how they attack," she said.

Of course, when playing two of the top eleven teams in the nation, the margin for error is razor thin whether you are at home or away. "BYU has such a great crowd and so does San Diego in their gym. Will they still be the same caliber of team that show up in the RPI rankings on the road? Of course. But there is that difference."

Leading the way statistically for the Dons on offense is Tyna Adamcikova. In Saturday's loss to Pepperdine, Adamcikova tallied 25 kills, 11 of which came in a stunning third set victory which the Dons took 31-29. On the season Adamcikova has 335 kills and ranks in the top-10 of the WCC in kills, points and aces.  She is also second on the team in digs with 179 and first in aces with 31.

Trish Koutsoukos leads the team in assists with 344 which is good for 4.10 per set. Shannon Levinson has been coming on strong as of late, too, as she has her assists per set up to 3.51 on the year. Emily Reed continues a strong all-around year as she is second on the team in kills (267) and third in digs (148). Kate Ashman is having a strong showing in her maiden campaign as she is third on the team in kills (161) and second in total blocks (59). Other team leaders include Marjolijn Oskam who leads the team in total blocks with 89, and Kim Gutierrez who leads the team in digs with 293.

Senior Day is just around the corner as USF Volleyball will be honoring its lone senior, Emily Reed. The ceremony for Reed will take place before the match against Pacific on Tuesday, November 22 at 7 p.m. inside War Memorial at the Sobrato Center. That same game will also be Community Giving Night. Reed and the rest of the volleyball players and staff would like to extend an invitation for fans to bring canned goods to be donated to the SF-Marin Food Bank. All those donating a can will be eligible to purchase a general admission ticket to the game for the discounted price of $5.