SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Continuing their three-game homestand with two matches this week, the University of San Francisco women's volleyball team (0-8, 0-0) will welcome No. 23 Pepperdine (8-1, 0-0) and LMU (9-1, 0-0) to War Memorial at the Sobrato Center as they open West Coast Conference play.
 
GAME 7 INFORMATION:
Date/Time: Thursday, Sept. 23- 7:00 pm
Opponent: No. 23 Pepperdine (8-1, 0-0)
Site: War Memorial Gym /San Jose, Calif.
Video: WCC Network 
Live Stats: Statbroadcast 
 
GAME 8 INFORMATION:
Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 25- 12:00 pm
Opponent: Loyola Marymount (9-1, 0-0) 
Site: War Memorial Gym /San Francisco, Calif.
Video: WCC Network 
Live Stats: Statbroadcast
 
DONS AT A GLANCE:

• Last time out, the Dons battled UC San Diego to the wire at home, pushing the Tritons to a fifth set before ultimately falling as a team, 3-2. Despite the loss, Shyia Richardson impressed by leading all players with 14 kills. Additionally, she also tallied 13 digs and 2 blocks while recording 15 points overall for USF.
• As an extremely young team, USF has grown with each opportunity on the court together, as two Dons rank in the top five in three separate categories heading into conference play. Overall, Orsula Staka currently sits fourth in the WCC with a .353 hitting percentage while Letizia Aquilino also ranks fourth with 4.00 digs per set. Notably, freshman Shyia Richardson has also shown promise for USF as the first year Don currently leads the team with 79 kills (2.72 per set) and 83 total points (2.86 per set).
• Looking ahead, USF will play one match on the road at Pacific next Tuesday, Sept. 28 before returning home to host San Diego (Sept. 30) and BYU (Oct. 2) as conference play rolls on. 

SCOUTING THE WAVES:

• In their last time on the court, Pepperdine made quick work of VCU at home, sweeping the Rams in straight sets, 3-0. Overall, the Waves totaled 52 kills with a .258 hitting percentage while allowing their opponents to hit only .080 with 25 kills. Individually, Rachel Ahrens paced Pepperdine with 17 kills while Grace Chillingworth added 14 herself.
• As a team, the Waves have tallied an 8-1 record to begin the season, including a perfect 6-0 mark on the road or a neutral court. Notably, Ahrens leads the team with 4.61 kills and 0.78 aces per set this season, followed by Chillingworth and Meg Brown with 3.06 and 2.56 kills per set respectively.
• Earlier this season, Ahrens tied a career-high with 27 kills against No. 9 Washington, which also vaulted her over the 1,000 career-kill mark. For Pepperdine, she became the 21^st athlete to accomplish the feat as she now ranks 17^th all-time with 1,040 kills heading into Thursday's match. 

SCOUTING THE LIONS:

• Coming into the weekend with a noteworthy streak, LMU is currently on a nine-match win streak, having not lost since their season opener at No. 8 Purdue. Last time out, the Lions took down Cal Poly, 3-1, on Saturday, Sept. 18 after having previously defeated the Broncos at home, 3-1, on Thursday, Sept. 16.
• As a team, LMU currently ranks second in the WCC in assists (472), service ac es (71) third in total kills (505), kills per set (13.65), total blocks (88), blocks per set (2.36) and total points (663.5). Individually, Kari Geissbergerhas proven to be a force to be reckoned with as she is currently second in the conference in total kills (167) and kills per set (4.51). Additionally, Isabella Bareford is second in the WCC in assists per set (10.86), Mary Shroll is third in digs (132) and Audrey Klemp sits fifth in hitting percentage (.346).
• Following their trips to Santa Clara and USF, LMU will return home for a match against Pepperdine on Sept. 28 before hitting the road again for three consecutive games at Pepperdine, Saint Mary's and Pacific.

SERIES HISTORY:

• Dating back to 1985, Pepperdine currently holds a 65-7 lead in the all-time series between the Waves and the Dons, with USF's last victory coming in a 3-1 road win on Oct. 18, 2014.
• Dating back to 2002, LMU currently holds a 25-13 advantage over USF in that stretch. However, the Dons are riding a three-match win streak over the Lions, having defeated LMU in both matches last season. 

TALE OF THE TAPE:
 

No. 23 Pepperdine (8-1, 0-0)		San Francisco (0-8, 0-0)
494	Kills	272
452	Assists	239
65	Aces	29
454	Digs	368
79.0	Blocks	46.0
.257	Kill Percentage	.142
13.7	Kills Per Set	9.4
12.6	Assists Per Set	8.2
1.8	Aces Per Set	1.0
12.6	Digs Per Set	12.7
2.2	Blocks Per Set	1.6

LMU (9-1, 0-0)		San Francisco (0-8, 0-0)
505	Kills	272
472	Assists	239
71	Aces	29
437	Digs	368
87.5	Blocks	46.0
.269	Kill Percentage	.142
13.6	Kills Per Set	9.4
12.8	Assists Per Set	8.2
1.9	Aces Per Set	1.0
11.8	Digs Per Set	12.7
2.4	Blocks Per Set	1.6

 
FOLLOW US:
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