With the win, Saint Mary's improves to 13-9, 8-3 West Coast Conference while San Francisco drops to 13-10, 4-6 WCC.

Both squads hit well over .300 for the match, with the Gaels holding a slight .336 - .330 edge. SMC served up nine aces in the match, winning the service game.

The Gaels were led by Gabby Jolly with 15 kills and three blocks on .565 hitting. Lauren Corp added 12 kills on .375 hitting while Jordan Shaw finished with nine kills and eight digs. Kristina Graven just missed a double-double with eight kills and 10 digs. Sarah Reams finished with a team-high 13 digs. Missy White finished with 28 assists and seven digs while Dalas Dodd had 19 assists and two aces.

USF was led by Ester De Vries with 14 kills while Jocelyn Levig added 11 kills.

In the first set, the Gaels took an 11-7 lead after a Corp kill. USF came back to tie it at 12-12 and later the set would be tied up at 20-20. Shaw recorded consecutive kills followed by a Reams ace to give SMC a 23-20 lead. After USF pulled within 23-22, Shaw responded with a kill and White served up an ace to give SMC the all-important first set win at 25-22.

It was the Gaels again down the stretch in the second set as SMC led 19-18. Corp sent down a kill and Jolly recorded a block to push SMC up 21-18. After a USF point, the Gaels forced the Dons into an error, followed by a Corp ace to push SMC back up 24-19. Jolly finished off the set with a kill at 25-20.

The third set was the closest throughout the afternoon with eight ties and four lead changes. USF looked to be in a great spot to avoid a sweep when it took a 20-18 lead. The Gaels would go on a 5-0 run to take a 23-20 lead and later 24-22. USF would not go down quietly however, fighting off match points and pulling even at 24-24. USF would end up for a chance at set point, up 27-26, but a service error gave SMC the point it needed at 27-27. USF then committed an attack error, followed by a block by SMC's Tinsley and Katie Reininger to give the Gaels the match at 29-27.

Saint Mary's is back in action next week when it hits the road on Thursday to face No. 23 Pepperdine in Malibu. 

The Gaels' final WCC home game is scheduled for Nov. 17 against rival Santa Clara in a 1 p.m. first serve in McKeon Pavilion.  Advance tickets are available by visiting the tickets page on SMCGaels.com or by calling (925) 631-GoTx (4689).  A variety of single game, group and team packages are available.