SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga Volleyball opened the home slate by defeating the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners in four sets.

The Zags were powered by a balanced offensive attack led by Sjakkie Donkers, who posted a team-high 19 kills while hitting .255. Kelly McAuley added a new career high 14 kills and 11 digs for a double-double, while Taylor Walsh chipped in a season high six blocks.

Nia Damuni directed both the offense and the defense with 20 assists and 15 digs. The libero the Zags faced across the net, Julia Udell, impressed today with 27 digs. 

After taking the first set 25-22, Gonzaga dropped a close second set, 25-23. The Bulldogs responded in the third with a gritty 26-24 win, rallying behind late kills from Donkers and McAuley. Gonzaga closed out the match in the fourth set, using timely kills from Walsh and McAuley to hold off the Roadrunners and to secure the win with a final set score of 25-22. 

CSU Bakersfield was led by Nicole Zake with a team high 16 kills, while Evelyn Trivino Espinosa contributed a game high 21 assists. 

Gonzaga looks to continue its winning ways on Friday when they host University of Maryland Eastern Shore at 6 p.m. inside the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre.