Oct. 27, 2008

(San Francisco) - After turning in undefeated weeks, the USF volleyball and men's soccer programs earned some individual attention as two Dons captured West Coast Conference Player of the Week honors. Sophomore opposite hitter Sarah Mandala (San Dimas, CA) catapulted USF to a 2-0 week, highlighted by a 3-1 victory against No. 15 Pepperdine Saturday, while junior midfielder Leon Williams (Manchester, Jamaica) helped power San Francisco to a 3-1 victory against ancient Bay Area rival Santa Clara Sunday night.

Mandala helped USF crack the top-25 poll for the first time since 2003, leading the Dons to a 2-0 weekend, continuing their strong run with a perfect 7-0 record through the first half of the WCC schedule. The sophomore opposite hitter opened the weekend with a match-high 12 kills on .591 hitting as well as three assists, three digs and three blocks as the Dons swept Loyola Marymount 25-19, 25-18, 25-18. Against Pepperdine, Mandala recorded 17 kills on .407 hitting with one assist, two service aces, five digs and five blocks to lead the Dons over the Waves 26-24, 23-25, 25-16, 26-24. Overall on the week, Mandala recorded a team-high 32 kills, averaging 4.57 per set, on .490 hitting. She recorded four assists, two service aces, eight digs (1.14 per set) and eight blocks (1.14 per set).

It is the third weekly honor of the sophomore's career and the second for a Don this season. Mandala was named the WCC Player of the Week twice as a freshman in 2007, earning the honor on October 8 and October 29. Earlier this season, senior middle blocker Carly Babin earned the weekly conference accolade on October 13.

A 2007 Junior College All-American, Williams continued his outstanding play for the Dons and lifted the Green and Gold to a four-point weekend against Santa Clara. Williams was instrumental in securing USF's scoreless draw Friday night at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Manchester, Jamaica native created scoring chances, but more importantly blocked four Santa Clara shot attempts, three of them at point blank range at the mouth of the goal.

Williams was not done as the ancient rivalry shifted to the Hilltop on a foggy Sunday night at Negoesco Stadium. Williams scored the game-winner in the Dons' 3-1 come-from-behind victory against the defending WCC champions. It was his second goal of the season, both of them decisive. For the weekend, Williams, who finished with seven shots for the week, did an exceptional job of distributing the ball and was exceptional on both ends of the field.

Williams is the second USF men's soccer player to capture all-league recognition this season. Senior goalkeeper Jeremy Coupe was honored after posting back-to-back shutouts at Portland and Gonzaga to open WCC play October 6.

USF volleyball opens the second half of the WCC slate when it travels to the Pacific Northwest to take on Gonzaga and Portland, beginning Thursday, October 30 in Spokane against the Bulldogs. Match time against the Zags is set for 7:00 PM in the Martin Centre. Men's soccer hosts Portland and Gonzaga this weekend in crucial league matches, starting Friday, October 31 against the Pilots. Kick off against Portland is set for 7:00 PM on Halloween night at Negoesco Stadium.