SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Hosting their last home match of the season, the University of San Francisco women's volleyball (0-22, 0-14) remained close with Gonzaga (8-19, 4-12) for most of the match on Senior Day, but the Dons ultimately fell to the Bulldogs, 3-1, at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Opening the contest, the Dons raced out to an early 7-3 lead following kills from Letizia Aquilino and Orsula Staka as well as a service ace from Sara Denham. As the set played on Hannah Kinnison added two kills to keep the Dons on top 16-11, but the Bulldogs would respond with a 10-2 run to jump on top, 22-19. Ultimately, Gonzaga would hang on to secure the first set point, 25-21.
• In the second set, the two teams continued to exchange points, but USF regained their advantage, 17-16, midway through following two attack errors from the Bulldogs and another kill from Aquilino. Finding their rhythm when it mattered most, the Dons buckled down to reel off a 7-0 run to close the action as USF evened the match with a 25-20 set win.
• Moving into the third set, Gonzaga responded by beginning with a 9-2 run. Climbing back to within striking distance, the Dons came within six points, 18-12 following two Bulldog errors and another kill from Staka. Despite these efforts, Gonzaga continued to press offensively as GU would hang handle USF in set three, 25-17.
• Aiming to push for a fifth set, the Dons showed their fight in the fourth set, but the Bulldogs would ride their momentum as unit. Following a 7-1 run to open the set, USF had trimmed their deficit to five, 10-5, after a kill from Shyia Richardson. Answering right back, Gonzaga would outscore the Dons down the stretch to secure the set, 25-12, and the match, 3-1. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• For Richardson, the freshman standout finished with a team-high 10 kills on the afternoon, marking the eleventh time this season she has tallied double digit kills.
• In her second match at outside hitter, Aquilino posted 9 kills and 8 digs as she totaled 11 points for the Dons.
• Notably, Aylen Ayub also posted 28 assists and 7 digs while Sara Denham led USF with 14 digs, her second most in a match this season (17 vs. Santa Clara on Nov. 6). 

UP NEXT:
USF will head south to Malibu as the Dons are set to take on Pepperdine next Thursday, November 18 at 7:00 pm. Live streaming and live stats will be available via the team's schedule page.
 
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