SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Two nights after a road match at Pacific, Santa Clara volleyball begins a two-match homestand against Gonzaga on Thursday night. First serve between the Broncos (7-8, 0-3) and Bulldogs (2-0) is set for 7 p.m. in Leavey Center.

Santa Clara dropped its first conference road match of the season against the Tigers in three sets on Tuesday night. Gonzaga won five-set matches against Saint Mary's on Thursday and Pacific on Saturday to begin conference play last week.

The Broncos cap this week's action Saturday at 1 p.m. against Portland. 

THE BRONCOS

Allison Kantor and Hailey Lindberg led Santa Clara with nine kills each against the Tigers. Kirsten Mead's 32 assists, Tatiana San Juan's 15 digs and Taylor Odom's five total blocks were all match-best efforts. The Broncos tallied one ace against 10 errors for their worst margin from the service line since Aug. 26 at Howard.

Mead is averaging a single-season best 2.74 digs/set in 2017. She ranks second in the WCC with 546 total assists and third with 10.30 assists/set. The senior setter is second all-time in career assists among Broncos that spent their entire careers in the rally-scoring era. She has 3,569 career assists, and needs 307 more to pass Julie Jamile (1987-90) and move into fifth-place all-time for the Broncos.

Jensen Cunningham totaled 19 kills on .486 hitting against the Cougars and Toreros. The senior middle blocker has hit .500 or better three times in the last six matches (.611 vs. Idaho, .500 vs. No. 9 Kansas, .500 vs. No. 17 San Diego). Her .364 hitting percentage for the season is 65 points above her career average of .299 and currently good for third in the WCC.

THE BULLDOGS

2017 Record: 7-7 (1-2 Away) | SCU All-Time vs. Bulldogs: 49-11 | First Meeting: 1987
2016: 9/29 Gonzaga Won 3-0 in Spokane | 10/29 Santa Clara Won 3-1 in Santa Clara
Santa Clara Has Won Four of the Last Five in the Series

Gonzaga is one of only three WCC teams that is undefeated in conference play (No. 9 BYU, No. 17 San Diego). The Bulldogs began the year at 2-5 and have won five of their last seven matches, including three in a row. Jenna Kuehn is the reigning WCC Player of the Week; she hit .400 with 29 kills, 29 assists 18 digs and two blocks against the Tigers and Gaels.

THURSDAY PROMOTIONS

Welcome back to Claradise!: All fans are encouraged to dress in their most "island vibe" attire. Palm trees and Hawaiian prints are highly recommended. Ruff Riders Only: Claradise fanny pack giveaway.

Perfect Attendance Challenge (SCU Students Only – Must be a Ruff Rider): Join the Broncos at all FIVE of the designated "Perfect Attendance" games and be eligible to win Nike prizes! If you attend two games, you're entered to win a Nike Dri-Fit Santa Clara volleyball shirt. If you attend four games, you're eligible to win a Nike Santa Clara Athletics backpack and a Nike Dri-Fit Santa Clara volleyball shirt. If you attend ALL five games, you're eligible to win a Nike Santa Clara Athletics backpack, a Nike Dri-Fit Santa Clara volleyball shirt, and Nike tennis shoes of your choosing (limited $50 value). How to play: Check-in on the Ruff Riders Rewards app at the following volleyball games: 9/21, 9/28, 10/6, 10/19, and 11/9. Our winner will be announced at the November 9th match against Pepperdine.

Bronco Kids Packet Pickup: Bronco Kids members can visit the marketing table to pick up their membership packet that includes a t-shirt, lanyard and drawstring bag. Don't forget to bring your membership card for entry into the match. Not a member? Sign up here!

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!