JOLIET, Ill. --- The University of St, Francis women's volleyball team began a busy week on a strong note, defeating Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Governors State University 25-18, 25-22, 25-15 at the Sullivan Center on Tuesday night. The contest was the first of four on the week for USF and the fifth in a six-match homestand.
 

Each of the first two sets featured double-digit tie counts before the Saints (8-6, 5-3 CCAC) closed things out on a run. In Set 1, there were no fewer than 11 ties, the last of which came at 17-all before the hosts gained eight of the final nine points.
 

In Set 2, there were another ten ties with the Saints rallying from a late 22-20 deficit by tallying the final five points. The last two came on kills by Peyton Baird (SO/Mendota, Ill.) and Lauren Stefanski (SR/Plainfield, Ill.).
 

USF ran away with Set 3, scoring 17 of the set's first 19 points, including a team-high three aces from Hannah Pacheco (SO/Lockport, Ill.). Pacheco also topped the team's charts in assists with 15.
 

Taylor Valant (SR/St. Anne, Ill.) led the offensive charge with her 11 kills, while Brooklyn Withey (SR/Lapeer, Mich.) totaled nine kills.
 

The Saints also registered 11 blocks with Stefanski collecting the most (1 solo, 6 assist). Desiree Anderson (FR/Joliet, Ill.) was right behind with 1 solo and four assist blocks. 
 

USF looks to close out the homestand with a winning record when it faces Indiana University South Bend in another CCAC matchup beginning at 7 pm Thursday (March 11).