SAN FRANCISCO – The Nevada Wolf Pack (0-1) fell to the San Francisco Dons (1-0) Friday night in the first match of the 2017 season.
The match lasted just three sets (26-24, 25-18, 25-23) as the Pack, although close at times, just couldn't match up with the potent offense of the host school. Freshman
Sam Hayward and senior
Madison Foley were the offensive leaders for Nevada, each racking up nine kills. Sophomore
Camille Davey, playing libero this season, recorded 16 digs. Sophomore
Shayla Hoeft played steady at the net with three blocks, while sophomore
Dalyn Burns racked up almost 10 assists a set with a total of 29.
The Wolf Pack was down early, but answered back to take a 7-4 lead before the Dons tied it up at seven all. The match stayed incredibly close, although USF remained ahead. The Wolf Pack wouldn't let go though, as a block from Hoeft and Foley gave Nevada the lead back, 17-16. Another small run from the Dons knotted it back up at 18 before a Wolf Pack error gave USF the 19-18 advantage. The Wolf Pack was forced to call its first timeout of the match after gaining back and then losing the lead, 21-20. Although Nevada was able to tie it up at 24, the Dons would go on to score the next two points and take set one 26-24.
The Dons took an early lead in set two and never looked back, winning the second frame 25-18. Hoeft was able to pick it up at the net, though, finishing the set with three total blocks.
The third set was much like the first with a lot of back and forth to start it off. The Pack was able to take a 9-7 lead, forcing USF to call a timeout. The regroup did the Dons some good, however, as they tied it up 9-9 with the next two points. Things didn't really change as the widest margin of the set, two points, was hit again as the Dons took a 17-15 lead. The Dons would maintain that lead to win the third and final set 25-23 to complete the sweep.
Nevada gets right back on the court Saturday at 2 p.m. to face Utah Valley in its final match of the Battle of the Bay Tournament.
-- @NevadaWolfPack --
