SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Returning to their home court riding a six game winning streak, the USF Dons volleyball team (13-11, 6-7) battled hard against the #18 BYU Cougars on Thursday night at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center before ultimately coming short in four sets against a top-ranked Cougar team.

USF came out swinging to begin the match as they won the first set in dominant fashion before BYU was able to get their footing and take the match on the road. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• The Dons came out aggressive riding their hot play of late as they raced out to a quick 8-4 lead thanks to key kills from Aylen Ayub and Claire Crijns that forced the Cougars into an early timeout. BYU was able to claw a bit closer later in the set making the score 24-20 before a solo block from Maria Petkova gave the Dons the 25-20 victory as they took the first set on their home floor.
• BYU was able to climb back into the match during the second set as they were able to take an early 11-4 lead in the set before the Dons were able to stem the tide. Following consecutive service aces from Crijns, USF was able to trim the deficit to 12-8, but the Cougars were able to flex their muscles late in the set to even the score by winning the second set 25-20.
• A third set that would swing the match was a seesaw battle that saw BYU race out with four quick points before the Dons responded with three straight points of their own. After a late kill from Ayub to cut into the Cougars' deficit, BYU was able to put the set away on a kill to take a 2-1 lead by a 25-19 final score.
• USF attempted to claw their way back into Thursday night's match as they fought back from an early 6-2 deficit to make it 8-7 Dons following a tremendous dig from Abby Wadas. The Cougars were able to regain control of the set and the match as they put their foot to the accelerator and won in four sets by a 25-16 fourth set score.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Crijns had a tremendous night for the Dons in the offensive attack as she led USF with 18 kills to go along with four service aces against the Cougars on Thursday night.
• Petkova did a little bit of everything for USF against BYU as she recorded 10 kills, four blocks and one service ace against BYU.
• Playing up front for the Dons, Orsula Staka was able to lead the team with five blocks to go along with four kills on Thursday night.

POST GAME WITH THE DONS:

• To watch the highlights from tonight's match, please click here.
• To watch the full post game interview with USF head volleyball coach Diogo Silva, please click here. 

UP NEXT:
USF will be back at home this Saturday afternoon as they will welcome the second ranked San Diego Toreros to the Hilltop for a 1:00 p.m. match from War Memorial at the Sobrato Center. 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.
 
SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our primary sponsor - Provident Credit Union - for their continued support of USF Athletics. Interested in sponsoring the Dons? Please contact Frank Allocco, the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, at fallocco@usfca.edu or at (415) 422-4561.