SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Back at home to continue conference play, the University of San Francisco volleyball team (0-17, 0-9) showed their fight against Saint Mary's (10-8, 5-4) on Thursday evening, but ultimately fell to the Gaels, 3-0, at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Attacking their opponent early, the Dons jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the first set following a kill from Orsula Staka. Just one point later, Saint Mary's would respond with a 5-0 run of their own to jump on top 7-4. Riding this momentum, the Gaels never relinquished their advantage in the opening set as they would outscore USF 8-2 down the stretch to secure their first match point, 25-17.
• Moving into the second set, the Dons gained an early 4-3 lead following a kill from Shyia Richardson and a service ace from Aylen Ayub. Despite another 5-0 run from the Gaels that put them in front 8-4, USF would battle back a few moments later to knot the match at 20 after a kill from Lana Kutakhina and an attack error from Saint Mary's. Shortly thereafter, the Gaels used a 5-3 stretch to close out the set, 25-23, and secure their second match point.
• Continuing to apply pressure, SMC raced out to a 4-1 advantage to begin set three, but the Dons once again answered to draw within one point, 4-3, following a kill from Ayub. Keeping within striking distance at 18-14 after a kill from Hannah Kinnison, the Gaels would use a 6-1 run to extend their lead to 24-15. Aiming for one last comeback, Kutakina rallied off three consecutive points for USF to cut their deficit to 24-18, but Saint Mary's would ultimately notch their final point to secure the match victory, 3-0.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES: 

• On a tear for the second straight contest, Staka tallied a match-high 13 kills on Thursday night for the Dons.
• Logging her fourth double-double of the season, Ayub recorded 26 assists and 10 digs while also adding six kills against the Gaels.
• Defensively, Katie Wagstaff notched her second solo block of the season while Kinnison registered her first solo block since Sept. 11 against CSU Bakersfield.

UP NEXT:
USF will wrap up their short two-game home stand when they welcome Pacific to The Hilltop this Saturday, Oct. 23 at 12:00 pm. Live streaming and live statistics are available via the team's schedule page.
 
FOLLOW US:
For more information and updates on the University of San Francisco volleyball program, be sure to follow the Dons on Twitter @USFDonsVB, @USFDonsVB on Instagram and @USFDonsVball on Facebook.