SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Despite a strong start in the first set, Gonzaga volleyball fell in straight sets (23-25, 12-25, 18-25) to No. 25 San Diego in a West Coast Conference road showdown at the Jenny Craig Pavilion Thursday evening.

McKenna Marshall (eight kills) led the Bulldogs (5-11, 1-3 WCC) on offense, followed by Cara McKenzie and Juliette Russell with seven kills apiece. Marshall, McKenzie, Kennedy Croft and Alisa Kim all added a service ace apiece, while Viktoriya Ivanova led GU in digs with 14. Keau Kamake'eaina had the next-most digs with 12 of her own, adding a team-high 19 assists in her eighth start as setter.

The Zags got off to a hot start in set No. 1, going up 6-1 after forcing consecutive USD attack errors. The Toreros fought to get back into the set, but three service aces and a well-rounded GU attack that saw four players record multiple kills kept it tight down to the wire. Russell's second kill of the night gave GU a two-point cushion at 14-12, which the Zags regained at 22-20 after another kill from McKenzie capped a two-point swing. But the Toreros closed the set on a 5-1 run, forcing four errors in the process.

USD rounded into form in the final two sets, improving in sideout percentage in both en route to 25-12 and 25-18 wins to secure the sweep despite double-digit kills in the third from the Zags.

Up Next

The Zags' road trip continues with a date with No. 10 BYU in Provo, Utah on Saturday. Check GoZags.com and follow @ZagVolleyball on Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date game time and ticketing information, coverage and more.