Oct. 18, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara volleyball team faced a hard-fought 3-1 loss to the University of San Francisco Saturday afternoon at the Leavey Center. It was the first time since 1989 that the Dons defeated the Broncos on the Mission Campus. The final set scores were 25-21, 23-25, 22-25, 21-25.
The No. 18 Broncos (12-5, 4-2 WCC) were led by Anna Cmaylo's 15 kills. Krista Kelley added 10 kills, while Tanya Schmidt posted three total blocks. Brittany Lowe once again dished out four service aces, while mearly posting a double-double with eight kills and nine digs.
For the Dons, Sarah Mandala had a match-high 16 kills, while Carly Babin registered a match-high seven total blocks.
After a tight start to the first set, the Broncos pulled away with a three-point edge, 6-3, on a ace by Lowe. Although the Dons brought the score within one several times, SCU did a solid job of holding the advantage. A service ace from Haley Carroll brought USF within two points, 22-20. But after a called timeout by the Broncos, SCU compiled a 3-1 run to take the first set, 25-21 on a block by Cmaylo.
Santa Clara exploded to a 5-1 lead in the beginning of the second set on points from Cmaylo, Lowe, Lindsy Davigeadono and Libby Morrison. However, the Dons fought back to tie the score, 9-9, on a Bronco error. The two teams then battled point-for-point, knotting the score for the final time at 23-23. However, it was the Dons that would come out on top this time around, 25-23, with a kill from Mandala and an ace from Carroll. The match was tied 1-1 going into the break.
The third set was an intense contest with the set being tied eight times before USF compiled a 7-0 run to make the score 24-17. The Broncos did a great job holding off the Dons from set point, with four straight points to make the score, 24-22. But, Mandala gave the Dons a 25-22 victory and a 2-1 edge in sets.
The fourth and decisive set was no different from the rest as the two teams went head-to-head through 18-18. The Dons were the ones to take the lead on a kill from Addie Webster, 19-18. Carly Babin then pulled the Dons ahead by two, 20-18, but Alex Scoffone, who made her first appearance of the season, brought SCU back within one, 20-19, with a quick hit in the middle. However, a USF ace and a SCU error put the Dons up by four, 23-19. San Francisco took the set, 25-21, on a kill from Mandala.
The Broncos return to action on Oct. 21 for a non-conference South Bay rivalry match against the Spartans of San Jose State. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Spartan Gym.
