SAN DIEGO – Saint Mary's volleyball recorded their eighth-straight win to open West Coast Conference play on Thursday evening, defeating University of San Diego 3-2. Their 9-2 (1-0 WCC) start to the season is the program's best start since 2005 when the Gaels also went 9-2 to begin the year.

HOW IT HAPPENED

 • SET ONE | The first set went back-and-forth, but the Gaels were in control from start to finish. After initially trailing 4-1, Saint Mary's used a 4-point run to take a 5-4 lead, an advantage which they never surrendered. San Diego remained close however, tying the score as late as 22-22. Nonetheless, the Gaels won three-straight points, taking the opening set by the score of 25-22.  
 
• SET TWO | The Toreros led by as many as four points (8-4) in the early-goings, but a 2-point run by SMC allowed the Gaels to get right back into it. Saint Mary's fought from behind to tie the match at 11 points apiece, but their fourth-straight point gave SMC their first lead of the set (12-11). The Gaels extended their run to five points before USD managed to regain control of the ball. San Diego took their second lead of the set 18-17 and did not look back, eventually taking set No. 2 25-20.
 
• SET THREE | The Gaels took control early in the third set, building a 6-point, 10-4 lead. Looking to mount a comeback, the Toreros pulled within one point at 12-11, knotted the score at 14-14, and ultimately took a 15-14 lead. The Gaels immediately responded with a point of their own to tie the score and SMC used their momentum to pull ahead 19-16, forcing San Diego to use a timeout. The Gaels kept it close for the remainder of the set, but USD pulled ahead 22-21 and went on to win set No. 3 25-22.
 
• SET FOUR | SMC once again took a lead to open the fourth frame, leading 5-3 early on and 15-9 after 24 points had been played. The Gaels guarded their cushion throughout the set, denying the Toreros of a decisive win with a 25-20 victory in the fourth set.  
 
• SET FIVE | As advertised, the decisive fifth set was anything, but a blowout. Saint Mary's gained control early, posting a 6-3 advantage. However, a 6-1 USD run gave the Toreros a 9-7 lead. After an SMC timeout, the Gaels scored three-straight to retake the advantage (10-9). San Diego fought off a match point with Saint Mary's leading 14-13. Then, with the score tied at 14, Saint Mary's won two consecutive points to claim the final set 16-14.
 
QUOTABLE
 
"That was a battle," said head coach Rob Browning. "We have shown a lot of resiliency this season, and tonight was no different. After having a big lead in the third set and then losing it, it would have been easy to give up, but not this team. San Diego is a very good opponent. We had to earn it. They certainly didn't hand it to us. Great job by our team."
 
"There wasn't a single moment in that match where I doubted our ability to win," said junior outside hitter Sienna Young. "I could feel that my teammates felt it too. I am extremely proud to be on this team."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
 
Three Saint Mary's players recorded a double double in the 5-set match, including: Young (16 kills, 10 digs), senior outside hitter Lindsey Knudsen (13 kills, 14 digs), and junior setter Alexsa "Crash" Parker (34 assists, 12 digs).
 
The Gaels are perfect this year in 5-set matches, notching their fourth 3-2 win in their contest against San Diego on Thursday. In fact, SMC has now won six-consecutive 5-set matches dating back to last season.
 
SMC's 9-2 start matches the program's best opening 11 games since 2005 (also 9-2) when the Gaels went 19-10 and made an NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
Saint Mary's has now defeated two top-25 opponents this season: No. 19 Utah and No. 24 San Diego

UP NEXT

Riding an 8-match winning streak, Saint Mary's now heads to Provo, Utah where they will face their biggest test of the season in No. 1 BYU. First serve is set for 1:00 p.m. MT (Noon PT)

#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. #GaelsRise