Dons fall sports are in full motion, with the cross country, women’s volleyball, women’s soccer and men’s golf teams getting in on the action.
The men’s and women’s cross country teams dominated the USF Invitational in Golden Gate Park on Aug. 29, with both teams placing first.
Senior Zach Elam and Graduate student Ethan O’Shea earned top five finishes in the 8k, with Elam finishing second place at 24:16.5 and O’Shea finishing 24:34.4.
Junior Anna Buettner impressed in the women’s section, achieving a first place finish in the 6k at 20:27.8.
In their second meet, both the men’s and women’s cross country teams participated in the Kim Duyst Twilight Invitational on Sep. 13 in Ceres, California. The men’s team finished tenth overall in the 8k, which was led by first-year Jake Drever, who finished 53rd clocking a time of 25:16.6. First-year Chet Gorman followed closely, finishing 55th at 25:17.6.
The women’s team finished ninth overall in the 6k. First-year Sydney Collier led the Dons, placing 19th with a time of 21:36.3.
The team is currently preparing for the UC Riverside Invitational at the UCR Ag Ops Course on Sep. 27.
Women’s volleyball has opened up their season with a 2-5 record, most recently going 1-2 in the Boise State Invitational between Sep. 11-13. Their lone win came in a 3-0 sweep against Idaho State on Sep. 11, marking their first sweep of the season.
Junior middle blockers Maeve Bailey and Hokulani Perez led the charge, collecting four blocks apiece, in addition to 10 kills and eight kills respectively.
The Dons are set to host the USF challenge at the Sobrato Center between Sep. 17 and Sep. 20, competing against San Jose State and California State University Cambridge.
Women’s soccer is off to a 1-4-2 record through non-conference play, their solo win being against #18 Texas Tech (2-0) on Aug. 24. Junior forward Kaitlyn Sasadeusz shined during the match, scoring two goals, with one in each half.
USF begins conference play with a two game homestand against Loyola Marymount on Sep. 24 and Saint Mary’s on Sep. 27.
Men’s golf competed in the Whirlwind Invitational versus the University of Southern California in Chandler, Arizona, in which they tied for tenth place.
Their next meet will be the William H. Tucker Intercollegiate in Albuquerque, New Mexico between Sep. 19 and Sep. 20.
