SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara volleyball battled with one of the top teams in the nation Thursday at Leavey Center before eventually falling to 11th-ranked San Diego 25-19, 32-30, 25-14 in a matchup between two of the traditional powers in the West Coast Conference.

The Broncos (15-13, 6-10) had their share of opportunities to tie the match at 1-set apiece but were unable to finish it off against the Toreros (23-4, 14-2) who posted a .303 hitting percentage in winning for the fourth time in their last five matches.

Lisa Kramer had a match-high 14 kills on a .423 hitting percentage and Anna Newsome (18) and Kristen Gengenberger (24) combined for 42 assists for the Toreros who remain in a first-place tie in the WCC standings with No. 10 BYU, which visits Santa Clara Saturday.

Nikki Hess had a team-high nine kills and Taylor Odom and Sabrina Clayton added seven apiece for the Broncos who were held to a .190 hitting percentage. Kirsten Mead had 32 assists and four digs.

Santa Clara had four set points in the second, but it suffered two attack errors and then one of Kaity Edwards's 10 kills evened it at 29-all. Edwards, however, followed with a service error to open the door, but San Diego scored the final three points on a bad set and an attack error sandwiched around a Newsome kill in the longest set of the season for Santa Clara.

San Diego carried that momentum into the third set, scoring four straight to snap a 4-all tie. A kill by Jensen Cunningham cut the Santa Clara deficit to 16-11, but the Toreros, who out-hit the Broncos .303 to .000 in the third, scored five of the next six points to take control and eventually close out the match.

In the opening set, the Broncos trailed just 6-5 before San Diego reeled off six straight points with Edwards providing a pair of kills. However, Santa Clara got back in the set with a 5-0 run to close to within 16-13. Clayton started the flurry with a kill and also had an ace, but the Broncos were unable to get closer the remainder of the set.

The Broncos will recognize seniors Clayton, Hess, Madison Dutra, Katrina Inch and Mary Shepherd prior to Saturday's match against the Cougars, which starts at 1 p.m.

Santa Clara closes out the regular season Tuesday when Saint Mary's visits Leavey Center.

SATURDAY PROMOTIONS

Hunger Awareness Week: Donate two non-perishable canned food items for a $4 general admission ticket (one ticket per two items). Each additional donation item earns you one entry into a raffle for a prize pack, which will be given away during the game.

Hunger Awareness Week (Students Only): Donate a non-perishable canned food item for a free soda and a free hot dog (limit one soda and one hot dog per student).

Postmatch Autographs (Poster Giveaway Part 4): Approximately 10 minutes after the match, join the volleyball team by the main entrance above section 114 to receive part 4 of our 4-part 2016 Santa Clara Volleyball schedule poster and player autographs.

Pregame Life Skills Development Workshop presented by the Jerry Smith Coaching Academy: One general admission game ticket is included in your workshop registration. For more details and to register, click here.

TICKETS AND PARKING

Tickets: Season or single-game tickets are available. Click here to purchase online or contact the ticket office weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (408) 554-4660 or BroncoTickets@scu.edu. Group discounts are also available through our ticket office sales and service consultants. Doors to the Leavey Center, as well as its ticket office, are open one hour prior to the start of the match. 

Parking: For weekday matches, the Leavey Center lot, located on Accolti Way off El Camino Real, is free beginning one hour prior to first serve. Any other parking facility on campus will be subject to normal daily rates or restrictions, including the main structure, located adjacent to Stevens Stadium on Palm Drive. During the weekend, campus parking facilities are free (except for permit required locations). Click here for a campus map and parking restrictions.

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GO BRONCOS!