The Lady Dons opened up their first game of WCC play by sweeping Portland in three sets on Thursday night. This win marked the Lady Dons’ 12th straight win over Portland. The last time the Dons lost a game to Portland in San Francisco was in 2000. The Lady Dons also beat Gonzaga, another WCC rival on Saturday afternoon 3 sets to 1.
On Thursday against Portland, the Lady Dons took control of the first set; however, when the set was tied at 19, the Lady Dons had to fight to win the set at 25 to 21. Portland tried to avoid a sweep in the second set by taking a huge advantage of 18 to 8. The Lady Dons took control of the set when the score went up to 21-14. With senior outside hitter Addie Webster serving, the Lady Dons rallied to score 11 unanswered points and they won the set 25 to 21.
The Lady Dons and Portland were equally matched throughout the third set. The Lady Dons had the early lead until the set was tied at 13-13. Portland took the lead by going up 15-13 and held onto the lead until the Lady Dons went up 23 to 21; the Lady Dons won the set 25 to 22.
Senior Darcy Carroll had a big evening with her first double-double of the season – 24 assists and 11 digs. She also recorded four kills and one service ace. Senior middle blockers Carly Babin and Alix Gombos both had nine kills apiece. Sophomore opposite Sarah Mandala recorded career seven blocks along with six kills and six digs. Junior libero Haley Carroll had 14 digs, while recording three assists.
On Saturday, the team beat Gonzaga 3 sets to 1 in their second match of the weekend. The Dons took control over Gonzaga in the first two sets of the match. They won the first set 25 to 20, and also won the second set 25 to 22.
Gonzaga spoiled the Lady Dons’ sweep by winning the third set. The Dons had control in the beginning of the set but when Gonzaga took the 14-12 lead, the Dons were unable to regain the lead. Gonzaga won the set 25 to 19.
In the fourth set, the Lady Dons knew that they needed to win that set in order to win the match. This desire did not show until late in the set. Gonzaga was in the lead for most of the match, but the Lady Dons took control of the set when they went up 22 to 21. The Lady Dons won the set 27 to 25.
Carly Babin, Alix Gombos, and Sarah Madala had double-digit kills – Babin had 15 kills, Mandala had 11 and Gombos had 13. Babin and Gombos had five blocks each, including a solo block by Babin. Haley Carroll recorded 16 digs while Darcy Carroll added 45 assists and eight digs. Senior outside hitter Addie Webster added nine kills, 11 digs and four blocks. Junior middle blocker Anna Berger posted seven kills and six digs.
The Lady Dons’ two wins marks the first time the Lady Dons started WCC play undefeated since 1999. The Lady Dons will next play #16-ranked San Diego on Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. at War Memorial Gym.
