Nov. 1, 2008

Box Score

(Portland, Ore.) - USF Volleyball rebounded from a tough loss on Friday to sweep Portland 25-21, 25-16, 25-19 Saturday at the Chiles Center in Portland, Ore. The win marks the No. 22 Dons' (18-5 overall, 8-1 WCC) second victory this season and the 13th straight win over the Pilots (6-19 overall, 0-9 WCC). The last time San Francisco dropped a decision to Portland was in 2002.

USF's eight WCC victories this season marks the most number of league wins for the Dons since the 1987 season. In 1987, San Francisco earned a 16 -13 overall, 9-5 league mark.

"We played much better today than we did on Friday," said head coach Gilad Doron. "Sarah and Alix had fantastic games. As a team, we had better defense and blocking than we did on Friday. Over all, the girls played consistent and played much better, like we needed to do."

Following a closely played first set, San Francisco dominated the court for the rest of the afternoon, recording a .327 hitting percentage. The Dons hit .237 in set one before improving .366 and .382 clips in the second and third set, respectively. USF held the Pilots to a .186 percentage during the match, including a .097 clip in the third set.

Sophomore opposite hitter Sarah Mandala led San Francisco with a match-high 15 kills on .682 hitting. Mandala also recorded four digs, a pair of blocks and an assist for the Dons. Joining Mandala with double-digit kills was senior middle blocker Alix Gombos. Gombos record a .500 average with 14 kills while also adding one dig and four blocks for USF.

Junior outside hitter Anna Berger provided San Francisco with six kills, two assists, a dozen digs, a service ace and three blocks, while senior outside hitter Addie Webster posted five kills with six digs and a block.

Senior middle blocker Carly Babin and outside hitter Zuzana Bednarova each posted a trio of kills for USF. Babin also recorded four blocks, while Bednarova added one.

Senior setter Darcy Carroll dished out a match-high 31 assists with three digs and a pair of blocks. Junior Haley Carroll led the match with 13 digs and sophomore setter Alaina Sully dished out six assists.

Portland was paced by Jessica Clemens with 14 kills and 11 digs. Ashley Grayson fell just short of a double-double for the Pilots with nine kills and nine digs.

The Dons will return to the court Saturday as they travel to San Diego to take face the No. 15 Toreros. The first serve will take place at the Jenny Craig Pavilion at 1 p.m.