The Dons were in Los Angeles to take on Loyola Marymount on Thursday night in the first game of a two game Southern California swing. The Lions (18-9, 9-6 WCC) were able to sweep USF, but it was not without a fight. 

It took a set for the Dons to find their feet as they dropped the opener 25-11, but as they have done so many times this year, they dug their heels in and fought. The second set saw USF hold a 16-15 lead after two kills by Kate Ashman gave the Dons momentum. It would stay tight for the following points as USF trailed 19-18 in the set which featured 14 ties. 

Ultimately there was too much Sarah Sponcil (14 kills on the night) for the Dons to handle as she would go on to record two kills and two aces to help close out the set. USF (4-23, 0-14 WCC) lost touch with Loyola midway through the third set as Savannah Slattery (14 kills) came alive for the Lions to put the match away.

Ashman finished with a team-high five kills on the evening. Emily Reed followed that with four kills and an ace. Tyna Adamcikova had an uncharacteristic night logging in a modest three kills and three digs. Nora Buvarp Lavik contributed three kills and a block. Shannon Levinson had team-highs with seven assists and four digs. 

Next up for the Dons is a match with Pepperdine in Malibu on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Waves swept USF when they met at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center on October 13 despite Adamcikova leading the team with 12 kills. Saturday'smatch will be streamed live on TheW.tv. After that, the Dons will return home to take on two powerhouse schools in BYU and San Diego on November 17 and 19.