SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco volleyball team (11-6, 4-1 WCC) returns home to War Memorial at the Sobrato Center to host Gonzaga (1-14, 0-5 WCC) at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17 and Pacific (12-6, 2-4 WCC) on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 1:00 p.m.
 
MATCH 18 INFORMATION:
Date: Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Opponent: Gonzaga University 
Location: San Francisco, Calif. / War Memorial at the Sobrato Center
Watch: ESPN+
Live Statistics: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Purchase Here
 
MATCH 19 INFORMATION:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Opponent: Pacific
Location: San Francisco, Calif. / War Memorial at the Sobrato Center
Watch: ESPN+
Live Statistics: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Purchase Here
 
DONS AT A GLANCE:

• Last week on the road, San Francisco went 1-1, defeating Portland on Thursday, Oct. 10, 3-1, before falling at Oregon State in a back-and-forth five-set affair on Saturday, Oct. 12.
• Following the third week of conference play, the Dons now sit in a tie for third place in the league standings with a record of 4-1.
• Three players recorded double-digit kill totals in the win over the Pilots, with Hayden Goodman leading the way with 15. Maria Petkova (14 kills) and Michalina Rola (11 kills) also reached double figures, contributing to the winning efforts.
• Throughout the two contests, Rola was dangerous on the attack as she recorded 26 kills with 15 against the Beavers. She continues to lead the team in kills with 192, ranking eighth overall in the WCC for total kills.
• As a team, San Francisco ranks first in average points per set (17.32), kills per set (13.38), and hitting percentage in the WCC. The Dons hit over .300 against Portland and Oregon State to improve their overall average to a conference-leading .266.
• Defensively, Jolei Akima has recorded double-digit digs in 14 of her 16 appearances, as she tallied 10 against Portland and 14 against Oregon State. She leads the team and ranks sixth in the WCC in total digs at 233.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS:

• Gonzaga is currently on a 14-match losing streak after falling at Saint Mary's and Pacific last week. The Bulldogs sit in last place in the WCC standings with a 0-5 record while only securing one set during conference play in a 3-1 loss to Pepperdine on Thursday, Oct. 3.
• Nia Damuni, an asset for the Bulldogs offensively this season, leads the program with 489 assists, the sixth most by an individual in the conference. Damuni is one of two players to play every set for Gonzaga and has totaled 40 or more assists in five matches.
• Maggie Rickert leads the team in kills with 123, averaging 2.32 per set, while also leading in points with 142.5.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS:

• The Tigers are in eighth place, with a conference record of 2-4 after sweeping Gonzaga in their last home match on Oct. 12.
• Alexa Edwards recorded 18 kills against the Bulldogs, increasing her streak of double-digit kills in a match to 18. Her 312 total kills this season ranks first in the WCC and sixth in the nation. She also tops the conference in points at 345.
• Another offensive threat is Jenna Heller, leading the WCC in assists with 652, averaging 9.06 per set. She recorded 38 assists against Gonzaga last week and a hitting percentage of .500 with four kills on eight attempts. 
• Jayhlin Swain, a reliable player on defense for the Tigers, ranks first in the conference in digs with 306.

SERIES HISTORY:

• Since the 2002 season, San Francisco leads the all-time series history against Gonzaga with a record of 24-20. In their last contest, on Oct. 28, 2023, the Dons swept the Bulldogs in straight sets in Spokane, Wash. 
• Against Pacific, San Francisco trails in the overall history dating back to the 2003 season with a record of 5-20. Facing off last on Nov. 2, 2023, the Tigers took a 3-1 victory over the Dons at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.

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.
 
MERCHANDISE:
Want to dress like the Dons? Get your official San Francisco Dons gear from the University of San Francisco bookstore today! Click here to purchase.
 
SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our primary sponsor – San Francisco Toyota - 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.