Dons Welcome Defending WCC Champion Toreros; Play at Saint Mary's Saturday
DONS SOCIAL MEDIA HUB
THIS WEEK: San Francisco opens up the 2011 West Coast Conference schedule Thursday, September 22 against defending league champion No. 16 San Diego. The Green and Gold will then travel across the Bay Bridge to take on ancient Bay Area rival Saint Mary's Saturday, September 24 in Moraga. Both matches are set for a 7:00 PM first serve. The Toreros enter conference play with an unblemished 13-0 record, while the Gaels enter the week at 6-6.
THOSE STREAKING DONS: After sweeping Cal Poly and taking two of three at the 2011 UNLV Classic last weekend, San Francisco has won eight of its last 10 matches entering the 2011 West Coast Conference opener. It is the best string of success for the Green and Gold since posting a 10-match winning streak in 2008.
SERIES AGAINST THE TOREROS: San Diego (13-0) leads 38-14. The Toreros swept the series last season for the first time since 2006. The Dons and Toreros split the series with each team winning on its home floor from 2007-09.
SERIES AGAINST THE GAELS: Saint Mary's (6-6) leads 31-25. The Gaels have won the last four meetings. The Dons swept the season series in 2008.
THREE WORDS: FREE HOT DOGS: The first 250 students to arrive at War Memorial Gym for USF's 2011 West Coast Conference opener against No. 16 San Diego will get a ticket for a Legendary Don Dog. It's much easier to cheer on a full stomach.
ON THE WEB: USF's 2011 West Coast Conference opener against defending league champion No. 16 San Diego will feature streaming video on USFDons.com, courtesy of Stretch Internet. Click HERE to launch the Game Central player on your desktop, laptop, IPad or handheld device. The Dons match at Saint Mary's will feature live stats and subscription video.
DONS AMONG WCC TEAM LEADERS: San Francisco ranks among the top-four among West Coast Conference team leaders in three of the seven major statistical categories. The Dons rate second in hitting percentage (.245), third in opponent hitting percentage (.157) and are second in aces (1.51).
YOUNG DONS MAKING A MARK: Five San Francisco underclassmen are ranked among West Coast Conference individual leaders so far this season (as of 9/21).
So. Joan Caloiaro: Assists (6th/9.67)
Fr. LIB Rebecca Kopilovitch: Digs (4th/3.79)
Fr. Opp. Vendula Strakova: Hitting percentage (9th/.292); Kills (7th/3.19)
So. MB Malina Terrell: Hitting percentage (8th/.300)
Fr. MB Valentina Zaloznik: Hitting percentage (7th/.300); Aces (10th/0.3); blocks (2nd/1.13)
LAST WEEK FOR THE DONS: San Francisco posted a 3-1 record last week, starting with a Wednesday sweep of Cal Poly at War Memorial Gym. The Dons then competed in the 2011 UNLV Classic in Las Vegas. The Dons suffered a sweep at the hands of a red-hot Baylor team, before bouncing back to sweep the tournament host Rebels and Fresno State. Freshman opposite Vendula Strakova and freshman middle blocker Valentina Zaloznik earned all-tournament honors. It is the third time Strakova has captured tournament accolades and the first recognition for Zaloznik.
GOING THE DISTANCE: After playing just three five-set matches in 2010, San Francisco has played four in its first nine matches of 2011. The Dons dropped heartbreakers to Arizona and Wichita State in Hawaii during the opening weekend before bouncing back for a five-set triumph against Memphis in the championship match of the Asics/Powerade Challenge. USF fell down 2-0 at Washington State before rallying to fall in five-sets to the Cougars.
NEXT UP FOR THE GREEN AND GOLD: San Francisco travels to the Pacific Northwest to continue West Coast Conference play. The Dons take on Gonzaga Thursday, September 29 in a match scheduled for a 6:00 PM first serve from the Martin Centre. USF squares off against Portland in a Saturday matinee set for a 1:00 PM start in the Chiles Center.
