IRVINE, Calif. - Bouncing back in a big way on Saturday afternoon, the University of San Francisco women's volleyball team (1-1) earned their first win of the season at Bren Events Center in Irvine as the Dons downed New Mexico (2-1), 3-1, on the second day of the UC Irvine Invitational.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• After dropping the first two points at the start of the set, the Dons went back and forth with the Lobos fighting to get a lead. Taking momentum as the set played on, the green and gold took a three-point lead, 7-4,  after a kill from Lindsay Oldendorf. 
• Although the Lobos would stay within striking distance, San Francisco delivered down the stretch as the Dons went out to close set one and win their first point of the year, 25-20.
• Using their first set to propel them into the next, the Dons came out aggressive and took control early on in set two. After  the first point, New Mexico responded before the Dons reeled off another streak of three straight points, which included two aces from Hayden Goodman. New Mexico stayed behind the rest of the set and a kill from Maria Petkova ended it in favor of the Dons 25-20.
• Coming out with renewed energy in the third set, New Mexico took the first seven points in a row until Karolina Nova got the Dons their first kill of the set. Aiming for a late comeback, the Dons scored four points in a row to cut their deficit down to 23-19. Unfortunately, the Lobos hung on to secure set three, 25-21, and get on the board, 2-1.
• In the fourth and final set, San Francisco took a 3-0 lead on the strength of a kill by Maria Petkova and two errors from New Mexico. Responding fast, the Lobos went on a four-point run of their own to take the lead back 4-3. Exchanging blows, Crystal Galaviz evened the score for the Dons at 12-12 to get her first kill of the game.
• New Mexico came back within two points, regaining the lead for the last time as the Dons responded with three kills to make it 16-14. Ultimately, the Dons would be successful in keeping the lead as San Francisco hung on to take set four 25-19 and secure their first victory of the 2023 season, 3-1.  

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Leading the attack throughout the match, Petkova recorded a new career-high with 22 kills as she averaged 5.5 kills per set on Saturday. 
• Aylen Ayub was a key component to the team's success as she tallied as she logged 42 assists and 24 digs, both of which were team-highs.
• Continuing to be an asset on the court, Abby Wadas recorded 10 assists and a new season-high of 21 digs in the win. 

UP NEXT:
The Dons will close out their time in Southern California with one more game tomorrow at noon against tournament host UC Irvine at Bren Events Center in Irvine. Live statistics and a link to the live stream for tomorrow's match 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.

SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our primary sponsor – Coca-Cola - 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.