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Dons Drop 3-0 Decision To Saint Mary's
Oct. 10, 2009
(Moraga, Calif.) - The USF Volleyball team closed out the second weekend of West Coast Conference play Saturday with a 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-21) loss to Saint Mary's in Moraga, Calif. Junior Sarah Mandala recorded 11 kills as the Dons struggled to avoid the Gaels' sweep.
With the loss, San Francisco drops to 7-9 overall, 1-2 against conference foes. Saint Mary's, which is receiving votes in the national polls, improved to 12-3 overall and a league-leading 4-0 record in conference play.
After getting out to a slow start and gaining a six point disadvantage to Saint Mary's, USF rallied to come within three in the middle of the first set. The Gaels answered by rattling off an 8-3 run to go ahead by seven, 24-17. The Dons pulled together three points when faced with matched point, but ultimately the Gaels continued their strong play, earning the victory.
The second set proved to be a different story in the beginning, as the two teams were tied six times, and changed the lead on one occasion. The Dons had as much as a four point lead in the first half, until Saint Mary's rallied to knot the score 13-13. After the Gaels took a lead, they sailed, only allowing three USF points to their 11.
San Francisco and Saint Mary's played the third set closely, with either team having no more than a three point lead until late in the set. With the score 21-18, Saint Mary's, the Gaels allowed the Dons to come within two, 23-21, before they finished the match with two consecutive points.
Mandala's 11 kills marked the lone bright spot in the Dons' offense, as the team combined to hit just .118 on the evening. Mandala also added two assists and six digs. Junior Alaina Sully and freshman Leanna Ludes shared setting duty for the match, each earning 14 assists.
Junior Haley Carroll controlled the USF defense with a match-high 23 digs. Each member of the Dons' line-up recorded a dig, including Alycia Cox with seven.
Saint Mary's was paced by two members of its roster with double-doubles. Lauren Corp posted a team-high 12 kills while adding a dozen digs and Missy White dished out 19 assists and recorded 11 digs.
The Dons will return to action next weekend as they welcome Portland and Gonzaga to War Memorial Gym. USF will host the Zags Thursday at 7 p.m. before welcome Portland at 2 p.m. Saturday.
