BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Returning to the court for the first real games of the new season, the University of San Francisco volleyball team (2-0) was ready to go as they picked up a pair of victories to begin the season at the Bobcat Classic on Friday. 

Playing bright and early at 9:00 a.m. PT, the Dons battled back to pick up a 3-2 win in their season opener against the Montana State Bobcats (0-1) in a true road contest. USF followed the win with a dominant 3-0 straight set victory over the St. Thomas Tommies (0-2). Additionally, the victory over Montana State was the first for USF head coach Diogo Silva in his tenure on the Hilltop. 

Game 1: USF: 3, Montana State: 2

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• The Dons were able to secure the first point of the day courtesy of a kill from Orsula Staka that was assisted by Aylen Ayub. Despite the Dons grabbing an early 10-9 lead to open the contest, the Bobcats answered back as they built late momentum to take the first set, 25-19.
• Montana State took control of the second set early as they raced to an 11-0 advantage before taking the set, 25-8.
• USF was able to bounce back nicely in the third set as they built late momentum to pull away with a 25-18 lead to take the third set. Claire Crijns, Maria Petkova and Shyia Richardson each recorded multiple kills to help the Dons to get the win.
• Both teams went back-and-forth in the fourth set with the Bobcats taking an early 10-8 lead before USF rattled off six consecutive points to take the 18-15 lead late in the set. Thanks to key late kills from Staka and Petkova, the Dons picked up the 25-20 victory to tie the match and force a fifth and decisive set. 
• USF kept their foot on the gas in the fifth set as they raced out to a 6-1 lead thanks in part to two kills each from Crijins and Richardson. The Dons shut the door and got their first victory of 2022 courtesy of Richardson's team leading 12th kill of the game as they won 15-9.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Richardson got her season off to a strong start as she recorded a team-high 12 kills to go along with nine digs to help USF get the come from behind victory on Friday.
• Making her USF debut, Crijns picked up a team leading 15 points against the Bobcats as she recorded 10 kills, six digs and two blocks for the Dons.
• Staka did a great job in the Dons' front court by putting up nine kills, three blocks and a dig to begin her 2022 season.
• Freshman Lindsay Oldendorf played a big part in the victory making her collegiate debut as she played in all five sets recording six kills and was tied for the team high with three blocks in the season opener.
• Fellow freshman libero Abby Wadas made her collegiate debut and was a key part of the Dons' defense against Montana State as she led the way for USF with a team-high 13 digs in the victory.

Game 2: USF: 3, St. Thomas: 0 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Both teams went on respective runs to begin the contest as USF led 11-7 early before the Tommies responded to take a 16-11 advantage midway through the match. The set was tied 25-all before the Dons rattled off three consecutive points capped off by a service ace from Richardson to win the set 28-25.
• USF carried that momentum into the second set as they raced out to a 10-2 advantage as they went on to dominate the set by a 25-17 score as Petkova and junior Kellen Martins each had big sets recording multiple kills for the Dons.
• St. Thomas fought back in the third set as they took an early 9-3 lead as the Dons fought back to make it 20-all late in the set. Thanks to key late kills from Staka, Petkova and Martins the Dons were able to secure the three set sweep with a 25-23 win to get a double header sweep at the Bobcat Classic.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Petkova put together a big time performance for the Dons as she led her team with 18 kills and 20.5 points while also recording six digs and a block for USF.
• Martins also had a big game against the Tommies as she was able to record 10 kills while playing in all three sets.
• Ayub was able to contribute on both offense and defense as she posted eight digs and three kills in the win over St. Thomas.
• Wadas playing in her second collegiate game was able to record 19 digs to lead the way for USF in the double header sweep. 

CATCHING UP WITH COACH SILVA: 
"I'm very happy for the girls, they deserved it and it's all about them! It could not have been better, everyone participated and gave their contributions for the wins today. We are on the right track but the season has just started and there is a lot of work in front of us. We still have one more match and now it's time to rest and get ready for tomorrow's match." 

UP NEXT:
The Dons will be back in action tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. PT as they will face the Grand Canyon Antelopes (1-0) for their final matchup of the Bobcat Classic. Saturday morning's match will be the first time the Dons and Antelopes have faced off in both program's histories. 

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.