Oct. 16, 2008

Box Score

(Moraga, Calif.) - USF Volleyball extended its win streak to seven matches Thursday thanks to a 25-22, 25-27, 25-17, 28-26, 15-12 victory over Saint Mary's in Moraga, Calif. With the win over the Gaels (13-5 overall, 3-2 WCC), the Dons (14-4 overall, 4-0 WCC) improve to 3-1 this season in five-set matches.

San Francisco came out firing in the opening set, hitting at a .436 clip to cruise to a 1-0 lead in the contest, but Saint Mary's roared back to take a 2-1 edge heading into game four.

USF rallied from a 19-15 deficit in the fourth set but chipped away at the Saint Mary's lead to tie the contest at 22-22. From there the Dons fought back from two match points to seize a 28-26 win in game four. Saint Mary's jumped out to an early 6-3 advantage in the decisive fifth set, but San Francisco used a 9-2 run to secure its first win in Moraga since 2003 - the last time the Dons advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

"We came from behind in game four and had a couple of huge swings from Addie and Anna," said head coach Gilad Doron. "That's how we've been this year. We play together as a team and that's one of the trademarks of Saint Mary's and we were able to match that. We were able to match their intensity, their defensive effort. I have to give credit to our team."

Alaina Sully, Anna Berger and Addie Webster each posted double-doubles in the match. Sully recorded the first of her career as the sophomore setter dished out 30 assists with 11 digs. Berger posted her first double dip since her freshman season thanks to 18 kills and 10 digs, while also recording two blocks, including one solo. Webster continued her strong senior season with her team-leading fourth double-double of the season as the outside hitter hit 19 kills with 19 digs. The 19 kills matched her career-high, set last season against Pepperdine (11/8/07).

Senior middle blocker Carly Babin posted 11 kills on .296 hitting for San Francisco, while sophomore middle blocker Sarah Mandala recorded 10. Senior middle blocker Alix Gombos fell just short of double-digit kills for USF with nine.

"Addie and Anna had a tremendous game," added Doron. "I thought Alaina did a good job today, as well as Darcy and mixing up the offense. Haley had a huge game as well. I am proud of our team's effort tonight and hopefully we get hungrier as we move forward."

Senior setter Darcy Carroll dished out 38 assists for the Dons, while also recording four service aces.

Junior libero Haley Carroll paced the USF defense with a match-high 26 digs.

Sophomore outside hitter Megan York paced the Gaels with a match-high 22 kills and 26 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Shannon Lowell and junior middle blocker Megan Burton each added 13 kills for Saint Mary's.

USF will resume action Saturday, October 18, as it travels south to face No. 18 Santa Clara. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Leavey Event Center.