SAN FRANCISCO – A tradition that has become a mainstay of the program, the San Francisco volleyball team hosted its annual Alumni Match Saturday at War Memorial Gym
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The alumni squad quared off against the 2014 roster, giving fans an opportunity to see a sneak-peek of the team in action prior to the start of the regular season.
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"I think it's great to have former players and USF alums come to play our current team and also to see them on the court," head coach
Gilad Doron said. "Since we came here, we started to develop a meaningful tradition and being connected between the past and the future is a great way to build and extend our volleyball family.
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"It means a lot to the team to see former players coming back and sharing their stories and experiences. It helps us continue to grow as a team and a program, and I am glad we are able to keep the tradition of the USF alumni match."
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The alumni team included a stout roster of that includes All-West Coast Conference player Carly Babin Biolasky. 2007 WCC Defensive Player of the Year Haley Carroll and 2012 team MVP
Leanna Ludes are expected to see the court, along with returning Dons Anna Berger, Lauren Quach, Hadley Simmons and Jocelyn Levig. Recent graduates
Mackenzie Murtagh and
Malina Terrell also returned to the Hilltop to play on their first alumni team. The squad was coached by Ashan Fernando, also a USF alumnus. While Fernando was a student at USF, he was a member of the Dons' Club rugby team.
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For Ludes, the return to the Hilltop is an experience that she looks forward to.
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"After graduation, people go back home or go on other adventures," she noted prior to the match. "This is a time to reconnect, reminisce and have a good time with other alumni, whether you shared the court at the same time or not. I've heard that they've got a good squad this year, and a lot of talent that could make them a very powerful unit this season. But this is probably the youngest alumni team we've had thus far, and I think we're going to give them a run for their money. It's going to be a battle!"
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And a battle it was.
The teams played three sets, with the current squad earning a sweep, but the alumni group pushed the team to the limits, presenting a real challenge. The 2014 squad won 27-25, 25-22, 25-23.Â
"It was a great atmosphere today, and had a real game feel," Doron said. "The alumni played very well and pushed our current team's play which was very important for us. Our players can learn from the game, and I hope it will help them build their trust and confidence in one another before we start the season next week. I want to thank all the alumni and fans for coming and making it a special day for USF volleyball."
The team opens the regular season Friday, as the Dons host the San Francisco Invitational. In the tournament's opening day, Georgia and Fordham kick off the action at 4 p.m., and the Dons face SMU at 6:30 p.m.
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Alumni roster:Anna Berger (2005-09)
Carly Babin Biolasky (2005-08)
Haley Carroll (2006-09)
Jocelyn Levig (2011-12)
Leanna Ludes (2009-12)
Mackenzie Murtagh (2010-13)
Lauren Quach (2009)
Hadley Simmons (2009-12)
Malina Terrell (2010-13)
 Post-match huddle with current and former Dons | 
Anna Berger & Carly Babin | 
Lauren Quach |
