SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Welcoming one of the nation's top teams to the Hilltop, the University of San Francisco volleyball team (13-12, 6-8 WCC) fell to No. 2 San Diego (22-1, 13-0 WCC), 3-0, on Saturday afternoon at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center. 
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Battling with the Toreros early, USF kept pace with USD to begin the match after a kill from Anna Petrova brought the Dons within one point, 6-5. Just a few moments later, the green and gold continued to apply pressure as a service error and an attack error from San Diego helped the Dons remain within striking distance, 12-9. Finding their momentum as the set play on, the Toreros rallied to take set one over USF, 25-18.
• Aiming to draw even, the Dons started the second set off with some rhythm as kills from Petrova and Orsula Staka followed by another attack error from USD knotted the set at five all. Trading blows as the match played on, the two teams were equal, 15-15, halfway through the set. Flexing their muscle, USD used a 6-1 run to close the action and ultimately take the second set, 25-19.
• Enjoying success on the court, Petrova and Maria Petkova helped USF stay on the heels of San Diego, 7-6, following back-to-back kills from the duo. Never losing faith, Letizia Aquilino delivered a service ace midway through the third set to keep the Dons within two, 14-12. Although USF would be able to trim their deficit to one, 18-17, the Toreros answered back in a similar fashion to set two as they wrapped up their eleventh consecutive straight set sweep with a dominant 7-1 stretch to end set three. Overall, USD secured the third set, 25-18, to take the match, 3-0.  

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Leading the charge offensively, Petrova finished with a team-high six kills on Saturday to go along with six digs and one solo block.
• Slotting into the lineup for the first time as a Don, Branson Lennon received the first start of her collegiate career against San Diego.
• As a team, USF led USD in service aces (4-3).

POSTGAME WITH THE DONS:

• To view the highlights of today's match, please click here.
• To view the full postgame interview with head coach Diogo Silva, please click here. 

UP NEXT:
USF will begin their final road stretch of the season next week when they travel to the Pacific Northwest for matchups at Portland (Thursday, Nov. 10) and Gonzaga (Saturday, Nov. 12). Live streaming and live statistics will be available via the team's schedule page. 
 
FOLLOW US:
For more information and updates on the University of San Francisco volleyball program, be sure to follow the Dons on Twitter @USFDonsVB, @USFDonsVB on Instagram and @USFDonsVball on Facebook.
 
SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our primary sponsor - Provident Credit Union - for their continued support of USF Athletics. Interested in sponsoring the Dons? Please contact Frank Allocco, the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, at fallocco@usfca.edu or at (415) 422-4561.