SAN FRANCISCO – The USF volleyball team came out on top, 3-2, in a rematch with Fresno State (4-6) at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center on Saturday night.
 
"Going in to tonight's match, we really wanted to see the transfer from how we prepared," said assistant coach Ali Skayhan. "We knew it would be a battle and we hoped we could grow as a team. We are really proud of their fight."
 
A fight it was. The Dons captured the first two sets, with the visitors responding taking both sets three and four, 25-20.  
 
Set five was an all out dogfight as the two teams traded points until setter Erin Anthony finished it off with an ace to capture the deciding set 18-16.
 
The engine of the offense tonight was sophomore Carly Lowry who registered 17 kills. Erica Ronda added 13 and Nora Buvarp-Lavik tallied 12 on a .385 hitting percentage.
 
Anthony was a Dons standout tonight, not only dishing out 44 assists, but recording five kills (.385 hitting percentage), two serve aces, two solo blocks and three block assists.
 
Coming off an intense match with CSUN the night before, Coach Skayhan emphasized what winning two five-set matches in two days shows from the young squad.
 
"We loved the resilience of the team. That's one thing we have continue to stress. Teams are going to out play us, it's how we respond that we are wanting to define us."
 
After a weekend stay on the Hilltop, the Dons get set for a four-game road trip starting out at Sacramento State on Tuesday and then heading into the UCI/LBSU Invitational.
 
A quick four-game slate and then USF will open up WCC play with a home match against San Diego on Thurs., Sept. 21. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
 
For tickets, please visit usfdons.com/.