> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Gonzaga Volleyball Splits Pair of Five-Set Matches Before WCC Action Begins
- URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/gonzaga-volleyball-splits-pair-five-set-matches-before-wcc-action/
- Published: 2025-09-21T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T05:58:07.000Z
- Author: Corbin Smith
- Tags: Analysis, Gonzaga, Zags, Bulldogs, JT Wenger, Sjakkie Donkers, Fallon Thompson, Raechelle Dykstra, Kelly McAuley, Autumn Larson, Taylor Walsh, Dani Johnson

\[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="959"\]

![ Gonzaga volleyball prepares before a serve against Eastern Washington on September 20, 2025.  Credit: Gonzaga Athletics/Instagram  ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/screenshot-2025-09-20-at-6-08-02-e2-80-afpm-format-original-1.png)

Gonzaga volleyball prepares before a serve against Eastern Washington on September 20, 2025\. Credit: Gonzaga Athletics/Instagram \[/caption\]

Heading into the first games of conference play next weekend, Gonzaga volleyball is 7-4, the second-best mark in the WCC behind San Diego. Most recently, the Bulldogs played in a couple of five-set affairs – falling to Montana at home before besting Eastern Washington on the road – to complete their non-conference slate.

There were both positive and negative takeaways for the Zags before the stakes of their matches rise next week, including a significant injury and continued dominance from the team’s best player.

**Sjakkie Donkers Stays Rolling**

The lone follower behind first-year head coach JT Wenger from UT Arlington continues to prove why she was the only Bulldog to be named to a Preseason All-WCC team. Donkers leads the conference in kills (169) and kills per set (4.32). She is also the only Zag who is in triple digits in that category. During the team’s match against Montana, Donkers led all players with 22 kills to go along with 13 digs – her third double-double of the season. A few days later, versus the Eagles, she topped that performance with 25 kills, a new season-high, willing the Bulldogs to a win in a tight matchup.

With Donkers being the team’s most common attacker, a higher error total comes with the monstrous kill number. She has 53 miscues on the year, nearly double the mark of her next closest teammate. But these errors don’t come exclusively on attack attempts, as Donkers committed misplays on a serve-receive try, having to set for a teammate, and trying to get a free ball over that went straight into the net. These are issues that can definitely be resolved – especially with Wenger’s emphasis on the little things – but are imperative as the team aims to be competitive in the WCC.

Regardless, Donkers’ prominence on the outside overshadows her missteps on these smaller details, but they could prove to be more significant after a big blow to the Zags’ personnel.

**Fallon Thompson Out For Extended Time With Foot Injury**

After the loss to the Grizzlies, the Bulldogs went into their match with Eastern Washington down their starting outside hitter opposite of Donkers. There was no apparent injury during the game against Montana, but Thompson was seen before the game on Saturday, not in uniform, with a brace cast over her left foot. 

The senior ranks second on Gonzaga in kills with 82, and her good play has kept defenses honest and unable to focus solely on Donkers. The team’s depth has shone forth in the early portion of the season, but losing its second-best attacker is a huge loss, especially right before GU plays its first WCC opponent. The next women up will be sophomore Raechelle Dykstra and freshman Kelly McAuley. Dykstra has been up and down overall so far, but still ranks second on her squad in hitting percentage at .255\. After a hot start, McAuley has seen her numbers dwindle and even a lack of playing time before the injury to Thompson. 

There is a real lack of experience on the outside for the Bulldogs now, even Donkers is just a sophomore in her own right. But with Thompson out for the foreseeable future, these two will be counted on to be more consistent producers.

**Leaning On the Middle**

With the Thompson news, another fundamental that will be stressed is controlling the net. The Bulldogs’ middle hitters – Autumn Larson, Taylor Walsh, and Dani Johnson – have performed admirably so far. GU leads the WCC in solo blocks so far with 33, spearheaded by Johnson’s 12\. The Zags also rank fourth in total blocks with 83, with Walsh added 28 to that category. Larson is third on the team in kills (70), rounding out a dynamic trio in the middle that offer different skillsets for Wengert to deploy.

Having a solid force to lean on in the center of your formation is a significant foundation for any team, and Gonzaga looks to have depth and competence at that position group.

Unlike like the other fall sports on campus, Zags volleyball will start conference play at home as they will return to Charlotte Y. Martin Centre to face Santa Clara (5-5) on Thursday, September 25, at 6 PM PT and San Francisco (2-7) on September 27 at 12 PM PT.