MALIBU, Calif. – Saint Mary's got off to a strong start in Saturday's matchup against Pepperdine, but the Waves ultimately outlasted the Gaels with a 3-0 victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED

 • SET ONE | The Waves procured an early, 2-0 lead, but the Gaels quickly pulled even: 4-4. Pepperdine regained their advantage and did not look back winning set No. 1 25-20, despite SMC keeping within striking distance throughout its entirety.
 
• SET TWO | Pepperdine pulled out in front in set No. 2 to a 3-0 lead. However, Saint Mary's responded with two-straight points to make it a 1-point, 3-2 deficit. The Gaels tied things up 4-4 and took their first lead of the match 5-4. SMC made it 6-4, but the Waves quickly regained the lead (7-6) with three straight points. From there, Pepperdine pulled ahead once the points hit double digits as Saint Mary's trailed 15-10. After two more Waves points, SMC came back with two of their own, but Pepperdine eventually came out on top (25-15) to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
• SET THREE |The Waves got off to another hot start in the third set, taking a 7-2 lead early on. Saint Mary's pulled within two (12-10), but Pepperdine's lead remained intact as they went on to win set No. 3 25-19.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
 
• Senior Lindsey Knudsen led the Gaels' offense, hitting .529 while collecting 10 kills and six digs. Alexsa "Crash" Parker registered 16 assists and 5 digs.
 
• SMC posted an impressive opening set, hitting .400 with 12 kills and only two errors.

UP NEXT
 
Saint Mary's will now return home for a pair of matches, facing Gonzaga on October 11 and Portland on October 13.

#GaelsRise – For ticket information to all home volleyball matches, call the SMC Ticket Office today at 925-631-4689 or click the ticket link here to purchase your seats now.