THIS WEEK: Gonzaga University volleyball returns back to Spokane for two home matches. The Bulldogs will take on Saint Mary's College Thursday at 6 p.m. and then face No. 19 AVCA ranked University of San Diego Saturday at noon. Both matches will be played in the Martin Centre on the Gonzaga campus.
ABOUT SAINT MARY'S: Saint Mary's College is coming to Gonzaga University on the heel of a 3-1 loss at then-ranked No.24 Pepperdine University. The loss dropped the Gaels to 13-10 overall and 8-4 in West Coast Conference play. The defeat also resulted in SMC losing its No. 25 AVCA rank. On the court the Gaels are led Kristina Graven and Gabby Jolly who have 266 and 243 kills, respectively. The squad is coached by Rob Browning in his eighth season.
ABOUT SAN DIEGO: The University of San Diego enters the week losers of three of its last four matches. The defeats to Saint Mary's College, Santa Clara University and BYU were the Toreros only West Coast Conference losses. USD is 18-5 overall and 10-3 in the WCC. On the court USD features a three-headed attack of Chloe Ferrari (237 kills), Alaysia Brown (233 kills) and Katie Hoekman (233 kills).The team is coached by Jennifer Petrie in her 12th season at the helm.
BRING YOUR 'A' GAME: When Gonzaga University volleyball faces Saint Mary's College Thursday at 6 p.m. all elementary and middle school students are encouraged to bring a report card or school assignment with an 'A' grade to receive complimentary admission. Also offered at the match will be the $10 Bulldog Bundle which includes game tickets, a limited edition t-shirt and a hotdog!
GIRL SCOUT DAY: Saturday, when Gonzaga University volleyball takes on No. 19 University of San Diego, all Girl Scouts are encouraged to attend for complimentary admission and a GU scout patch. Other promotions for the match include Kid Day where all kids admission is $1 and the first 150 in attendance get a free hotdog and soda. After the match members of the Gonzaga volleyball team will be signing autographs.
SENIOR DAY: Gonzaga University volleyball will be celebrating Senior Day Saturday against No. 19 University of San Diego. Before the match seniors for both squads will honored for their contributions to their respective programs. The Bulldogs will honor setter Mengya Wang, outside hitter Terran Poindexter and middle blocker Kylie Edinger. The Bulldogs will also recognize the GU student manager Kate Mulvaney-Kemp.
FULLHOUSE FOR BYU: Gonzaga University volleyball had a record crowd for its Oct. 25 match against BYU. The 1,266 in attendance is the highest attendance since at least 2004 (the date the computer records go back to). Gonzaga has cracked 1,000 fans at a match three times since 2004. This was the second consecutive match against BYU that has set the attendance record. Last season 1,197 fans packed the Martin Centre in a 3-1 BYU victory. Prior to that the record was 1,112 against the University of Washington on Aug. 31, 2007.
2012 WINDING DOWN: Gonzaga University volleyball is nearing the end of the season. After the matches against Saint Mary's College and No. 19 University of San Diego the Zags will only have two matches remaining. The last home match of the season is Thursday Nov. 15 when the University of Portland visits and the season finale is Saturday Nov. 7 at Pepperdine University.
FIVE FRESHMAN START: For the first time this season Gonzaga University head coach Dave Gantt started five freshmen against Saint Mary's College on Oct. 13. The starting lineup consisted of true freshmen setter Lauren Joseph, true freshman outside hitter Jordan Gasser, redshirt freshman middle blocker Kalistina Takau, redshirt freshman defensive specialist Deanna Nielson and redshirt outside hitter Savannah Blinn. Junior middle blocker Meredith Crenshaw and junior libero Kristina Lavrisha were also on the starting lineup.
GANTT BACK FOR HIS FOURTH SEASON: Gonzaga University women's volleyball head coach Dave Gantt returns for his fourth season at the helm of the Bulldogs. Gantt has previously coached at Montana State University and Oregon State University. For more information on Gantt, including his full bio, go to GoZags.com
ALL-TOURNAMENT HONORS:
Northwest Challenge: Savannah Blinn
Gonzaga Invitational: Savannah Blinn, Kylie Edinger
UNLV Classic: Savannah Blinn, Kylie Edinger
ASU Sheraton Invitational: Savannah Blinn
BULLDOGS PICKED NINTH IN WCC COACHES PRESEASON POLL: The Gonzaga University women's volleyball team has been selected to finish ninth in the 2012 West Coast Conference season according to a preseason vote of the league's head coaches. The Bulldogs received 11 votes in this year's poll after losing three starters from last years team.
Women's Volleyball 2012 Preseason Poll (First place votes)
T-1. Saint Mary's - 59 (4)
T-1. San Diego - 59 (4)
3. Pepperdine - 53 (1)
4. BYU - 42
5. San Francisco - 33
T-6. Loyola Marymount - 27
T-6. Santa Clara - 27
8. Portland - 13
9. Gonzaga - 11
TWITTER: Yes, the Gonzaga University Bulldogs are on twitter! You can find us at www.twitter.com/ZagsVball. We provide inside scoop on all things volleyball as well as in-game updates for all home and road matches. CHECK US OUT!
FACEBOOK: The Gonzaga University women's volleyball team is on Facebook. Search for Gonzaga University women's volleyball when signed into Facebook and LIKE the page. Get inside scoop on the team, see photos from the season, read recaps of matches and watch video. ENJOY!
