Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif.--The Gonzaga University volleyball team squared off against a top-10 foe Saturday, falling to No. 7 San Diego 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-22) at the Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego.

Despite the lopsided match score, the Zags competed in every set. In the first, Gonzaga fought back from an early USD run to keep in touch until the end of the frame. The Toreros did take a four-point advantage at 19-15, but Emmy Allen brought the Zags back within two with a kill for a sideout and a solo block. San Diego then earned a sideout and closed the frame on a 6-2 run, earning the early match advantage.

In the second, the home side scored five early points in a row, turning a 5-6 Bulldog lead into a three-point deficit. The Bulldogs came back within one at 10-9, 11-10, and 12-11 with kills from Imani Wimbush and McKayla Ferris and a USD attack error. That error, however, was prelude to a 6-1 run for the Toreros, and they took the set by seven points at 25-18.

Gonzaga rallied in the third set, coming back from a 10-6 deficit to lead as late as the 14-16 mark. A 6-1 run was instrumental in that comeback as the Zags erased a three-point deficit with a kill from Allen and back-to-back blocks, Sarah Bradley factoring in both of them. The Toreros re-took the lead after a GU attack error, but Bradley earned an immediate sideout, and two USD attacks missed their mark to put the Zags up by two. San Diego countered with four consecutive tallies, however, taking back the lead. After that, both sides traded points, but the Zags were unable to pull ahead and the home team took the set 25-22 and the match 3-0.

Bulldog Bites:

• With San Diego entering the match ranked No. 7 in the nation by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), the Zags have now played five matches against ranked foes this season. Those opponents have been rated no worse than 12th either as Nebraska was ranked No. 1 in September when the Zags travelled to Lincoln, Nebraska; BYU has been ranked 11th and 12th versus GU; and the Toreros were No. 5 when the two squads faced off in Spokane last month.
• The Bulldogs were diverse in their defense Saturday. Six players combined to tally the squad's nine team blocks as Allen, Bradley, Paige Folger, and Katelyn Oppio each were involved in three. Eight Zags posted at least two digs on the night, topped by Morgan Douglass and Tessie Powers, who each dug up six attacks. Powers also led the squad with 13 assists.

Next Up:

The Zags (14-11, 7-8 WCC) now return to Spokane for their final two home matches of the season. They begin the weekend on Thursday, Nov. 17 versus Pacific, and they finish the home slate on November 19 against Saint Mary's. Before the match versus the Gaels, Gonzaga will honor its six seniors - Allen, Bradley, Douglass, Ferris, Folger, and Wimbush.