Nov. 7, 2009

Box Score

(San Francisco) - Haley Carroll highlighted an exciting afternoon for USF Volleyball Saturday, as the Dons earned a 3-0 sweep (25-15, 25-23, 25-23) over No. 22 San Diego at War Memorial Gym. Carroll recorded 16 digs, and with the 15th, became the first player in West Coast Conference history, 45th in NCAA Division I history, to record 2,000 career digs.

The victory was the first over a ranked opponent in 2009 for the Dons, who improve to 11-12, 5-5 in West Coast Conference play. The Toreros fell to 16-6, 8-3 with the loss. The USF win marked the third straight time that the Dons have been victorious over the Toreros on the Hilltop. All three matches, San Diego headed into the contest ranked in the top-25.

"I thought we played well today," said head coach Gilad Doron. "We played together and we played focused. We came in determined and it showed. We here hustling and patience. We did a much better job on the net and in the back court. I think everyone deserves credit for following the game plan. I am proud of them for stepping up to the challenge in games 2 and 3. San Diego played well and we stepped up to the challenge."

The victory was the 50th of Doron's career on the Hilltop and the 22nd in West Coast Conference play. His 22 wins ties him with former coach, current Texas A&M head coach, Laurie Corbelli for most victories in WCC play.

Carroll paced the Dons defense with her 16 digs. The senior now boasts 2,001 career digs, averaging 4.82 digs per set. The native of Gilroy is the all-time USF leader in both categories. For the day, Carroll also recorded an assist and a service ace.

In the opening set, San Francisco jumped out to a 4-0 lead and never looked back, leading throughout the entire set. Up 15-11, the Dons put the set away when, under the serving of Carroll, the team rallied for seven straight points. USF hit .226 in the set while holding San Diego to a .061 average.

In the second set, the two teams played close, tying the score 11 times, and exchanging the lead four times. Late in the set, the Toreros were up 23-21, but the Dons rallied strong, earning the final four points to take a 2-0 edge into intermission.

San Francisco captured the upset in the third set in a close battle. The Dons went up early 9-5, but the Toreros stormed back late to take a 22-21 advantage. With the scored tied 23-23, USD committed a costly service error to give the Dons match point and the chance for the sweep. USF earned the victory with a kill by Hadley Simmons.

Sarah Mandala led the Dons' offense with a match-high 15 kills. Erin Bragg added five, while Erin Kilroy posted four.

Alaina Sully dished out 17 assists for San Francisco, while Leanna Ludes provided 11. On the net, Anna Berger and Bragg led USF with four blocks each.

San Diego was led by Ali Troost, who provided 14 kills, an ace and three digs.

The Dons return to action Thursday as they travel to Portland to face the Pilots. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.