FRESNO, Calif. – Closing out their weekend with another trophy, the University of San Francisco volleyball team (6-0) hung on in five sets to take down Fresno State (3-3) on Saturday afternoon and remain perfect on the season as the Dons were crowned champions of the Fresno State Invitational with their victory over the Bulldogs.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Despite a kill from Grace Doyle to begin the action, USF opened the first set by tallying four of the first points, which included a kill and service ace from Letizia Aquilino. Exchanging blows as the set transpired, the Bulldogs would pull ahead of the Dons, but USF quickly displayed their chemistry by using a 9-3 run to regain their advantage, 17-15. Closing out the set with kills from Claire Crijns and Lindsay Oldendorf, the Dons held on to secure their first point of the match by taking the set, 25-23.
• Similar to the first set, the two teams traded points to open the second set, with USF holding a 6-4 lead early after another kill from Crijns. After falling behind as the set played on, the Dons dug deep once again to climb back and knot the score at 23. Unfortunately, Fresno State answered back by rallying off three straight points to close out the set and even the match at 1-1.
• Responding to begin the third set, USF raced out to a 7-2 advantage following a kill from Abby Wadas. Defending their home court, the Bulldogs clawed back to even the set at 15, but four straight points a timeout midway through the set put the green and gold back on top, 19-15. Although Fresno State countered by tying the score at 22, the Dons found their rhythm to close the set out, 25-23, and jump back on top in the match, 2-1.
• Matching each other stride for stride, both teams continued to swap points through most of the fourth set, but USF pulled ahead late, 21-20, following a kill from Lana Kutakhina. Hungry for a fifth set, the Bulldogs answered by recording five of the final six points in the set to secure their second match point, 25-22, and force a winner-take-all final set.
• Starting out on a high note, the Dons grabbed an early 4-2 lead to begin the fifth set after another kill from Crijns. Responding shortly thereafter, Fresno State gained momentum with three straight points of their own that put the Bulldogs on top, 11-10. Never losing faith, USF buckled down when it mattered most by rallying off five of the final seven points. Coming off the bench to deliver the decisive kill, Kutakhina slammed the door on Fresno State to secure the set, 15-12, and notch USF's six straight victory to begin the season, 3-2. Notably, USF was crowned champions of the Fresno State Invitational, the second straight week in which the Dons have won their tournament.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Leading the charge offensively, Crijns (24) and Richardson (21) dominated on the attack for the Dons as the duo combined for 45 of USF's 63 kills against the Bulldogs. For Richardson, her 21 kills and 15 digs both mark career-highs for the sophomore.
• Defensively, USF had four players record 10+ digs on Saturday: Isadora Nicolai (17), Richardson (10), Crijns (10) and Wadas (10).
• As a team, the Dons held Fresno State to a .127 hitting percentage in the match, the lowest by a USF opponent so far this season.
• Awarded for their efforts, Crijns was named the Fresno State Invitational MVP while Richardson and Kutakhina were named to the All-Tournament Team.

UP NEXT:
USF will return home to the Hilltop next weekend as the Dons will host CSUN on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7:00 pm in their home opener at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center. Following their matchup with CSUN, USF will battle Penn on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 1:00 at home as well. Live streaming and live statistics for both matches 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.