Nov. 22, 2008

Box Score

(Los Angeles, Calif.) - Behind a career-high 20 kill effort by junior outside hitter Anna Berger, the No. 25 USF volleyball team wrapped up the conference season with a five-set 25-16, 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 15-11 victory over Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. Despite the victory over the Lions (13-15 overall, 3-11 WCC) the Dons (21-7 overall, 11-3 WCC) finished second in the West Coast Conference after a San Diego victory at Pepperdine Saturday.

USF came out and dominated the first set, allowing just eight LMU kills on .000 hitting. The Dons pieced together a 14-5 run to secure the victory in the opening set. San Francisco continued its strong play in set two, holding the Lions to a .182 clip, but following the break, Loyola Marymount came out hot, hitting .364 in set three and .289 in set four to force a fifth and decisive set. In final set, USF took an early 3-0 before fending off a late LMU rally to earn the match victory.

For the match, the Dons held the Lions to a .191 hitting percentage, while USF hit at a .268 clip.

Berger led the Dons on the afternoon with her personal-best 20 kills on .311 hitting with seven digs, two assists, a service ace and two blocks. Sophomore opposite hitter Sarah Mandala recorded 16 kills for San Francisco, hitting at a .235 clip. Mandala also dished out a pair of assists with two digs and three blocks.

Senior middle blocker Carly Babin posted 10 kills for the Dons as well as a dig and three blocks - one solo. Senior middle blocker Alix Gombos hit at a game-high .357 clip with seven kills and a season-high 11 blocks.

Senior setter Darcy Carroll paced the offense with 42 assists, while sophomore setter Alaina Sully dished out 13. Junior libero Haley Carroll recorded 21 digs, while senior outside hitter Addie Webster posted 16.

The Lions were led by Emily Day with a team-high 19 kills on just .073 hitting, while Becky Stehling posted 15 kills hitting .355.

The Dons will wrap up the 2008 regular season Tuesday when they return to the Hilltop to host San Jose State. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at War Memorial Gym.