COLORADO SPRINGS/DENVER, Colo. – Returning to the road after spending last weekend hosting two games at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center, the USF Dons volletball team (7-3) were in Colorado for a day-night double header as they came up short against the UC San Diego Tritons (7-4) and the Denver Pioneers (5-5) to begin their trip. 
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
 
UC San Diego 3, USF 2:

• Catching fire out of the gates, USF jumped out to an early 9-3 lead in the first set following back-to-back kills from Maria Petkova and Claire Crijns. Finding their groove through the rest of the set, the Dons would extend their advantage to double digits as their offense continued to click early. Holding on by ten points, USF took set one over the Tritons, 25-15.
• Despite UC San Diego jumping in front to begin the second set, the Dons dug deep to battle back and regain their lead midway through the set as an 11-3 run by the green and gold catapulted USF back on top. Continuing their momentum down the stretch, the Dons closed out the second set by notching four of the set's final five points as they hung on, 25-22, to take a 2-0 lead over UCSD.
• Shortly thereafter, the Tritons responded clawing back on their end of the court, which included taking sets 3 and 4 over the Dons.
• Coming down to a winner-take-all fifth set, USF and UC San Diego matched each other blow-for-blow in the final set as the teams needed extra points to decide a winner. After the Dons were able to go in front, 17-16, following another kill from Petkova, the Tritons were able to rally off the final three points in the closing moments to win the set, 19-17, and secure the comeback victory over USF, 3-2. 

Denver 3, USF 1:

• The road match began with a back-and-forth opening set with the Dons leading early 4-2 off a Shyia Richardson kill assisted by Isadora Nicolai. The Pioneers were able to outlast the Dons on their home floor taking the first set by a 26-24 final.
• It was a similar story in the second set with each side working hard to pull away from the other with little success. USF was able to gain a little separation with a 4-0 run spearheaded by kills from Richardson and Lana Kutakhina before Denver was able to outlast the Dons to win by a narrow 25-23 margin.
• Down two sets in the match, the Dons rattled off a fierce comeback to start the third set racing out to an 8-1 run thanks in part to kills from Orsula Staka and Petkova. The Dons were able to withstand a late comeback attempt from the Pioneers pulling away with a 25-21 third set victory off a Denver service error.
• USF's comeback attempt fell short in the end as the Pioneers rallied in the fourth set as they picked up the close 25-21 win to get the four set victory on their home court.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Richardson had a strong day recording 30 total kills against both to go along with four service aces as she's continued her strong start of the season.
• Continuing the great offensive trend, Petkova recorded 26 kills as she's been a great addition to the USF offensive attack.
• On the defensive side, Abby Wadas was able to rack up 30 total digs facing off with the Tritions and Pioneers. 

 UP NEXT:
USF will wrap up play in the Thin Air Challenge tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 17 with an 11:00 am matchup at Air Force. Live streaming and live statistics are 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.