SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Playing in their second match of the Bay Area Invitational, the University of San Francisco women's volleyball team (0-6) battled CSU Bakersfield (5-1) until the final whistle on Saturday afternoon, but ultimately fell to the Roadrunners, 3-1.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• In a back-and-forth affair, the Dons and Roadrunners exchanged points in the opening moments of the game, with each team displaying their grit by matching the other through most of the first set. Down the stretch, CSU Bakersfield pulled in front with a late 6-3 run, which would prove to be enough to start as they secured the victory in first set by a final of 25-19.
• Finding their rhythm on their home court, USF would respond by capturing the second set in extra points, 26-24. In the set, the Dons tallied three straight points on three separate occasions, using the momentum of rallies to overpower the Roadrunners and even the match at 1-1. Notably, two of USF's final three points came via defense as Lana Kutakhina and Hannah Kinnison rose over the net to block the CSU Bakersfield attack. As a team, it was also USF's first set win since Aug. 28 at Sacramento Statw (3-2 loss).
• Shortly thereafter, the Roadrunners opened the third set on a 7-3 run as they quickly gained energy out of the break. Although the Dons would stay within striking distance, CSU Bakersfield ultimately handled USF with little resistance in the following minutes as they held on to win by ten, 25-15.
• Responding as a unit, the Dons began set four by taking a 4-2 advantage. Answering right back, the Roadrunners would use a 17-4 run of their own to regain the lead, 19-8, halfway through. Cutting their deficit to single digits, USF would put up one last effort with a 5-2 run in the closing moments, but it would not prove to be enough as CSU Bakersfield hung on for the 25-16 set win. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Individually, freshman Taylor Schein tied her career-high with 11 kills against the Roadrunners while fellow classmate Shyia Richardson also tallied 11 kills herself.
• Defensively, Letizia Aquilino served as an anchor with 16 digs, tying her second-most in a match this season.
• Overall, USF held an 11-6 advantage in blocks over CSU Bakersfield, with Orsula Staka (3), Kinnison (2) and Lauren Perri (2) leading the charge for the Dons. 

UP NEXT:
Looking ahead to this upcoming week, USF will make the short trip to San Jose State for a showdown with the Spartans on Thursday, Sept. 16 before returning home to War Memorial at the Sobrato Center to host UC San Diego on Friday, Sept. 17. Live stream and live statistics links 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.