MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's kept in close in every set on Tuesday night, but eventually fell in three sets to Santa Clara.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• SET ONE | The Gaels and the Broncos began Tuesday night's match by trading points back and forth through the beginning portion of the set. The teams tied a number of times until SMC pulled ahead by three points and forced Santa Clara to take their first time out with Saint Mary's in the lead 14-11. Following the break, SCU was able to catch back up and tie the set at 19-19, but SMC was again able to take the lead after a 4-0 run. The Broncos then hit a stride of their own and took control of a 6-1 run to win the first set 26-24.
• SET TWO | The two teams went point-for-point through the start of the second set and at the first timeout, Santa Clara held the 13-10 advantage over Saint Mary's. After the break, SMC tried to catch up to SCU, but the Broncos stayed in the lead by a steady-three points for most of the remainder of the set. The Gaels pulled within one point (22-21) late in the set, but the Broncos were able to shut down their momentum and went on to win the second set 22-25.
• SET THREE | Santa Clara achieved an early 5-1 lead in the third set which they continued to extend until Saint Mary's took a timeout with the Broncos ahead 18-12. The Gaels fought back with a 5-1 run which brought the gap to two points, but SCU was able to remain in control of the set and eventually won 25-21 and win the match 3-0.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
• 4: Freshman
Elena Baka recorded her fourth double-double of the season on Tuesday (11 kills, 10 digs)
• 10: Number of kills for senior
Sienna Young, her third-highest of the season
• 8: Combined number of assisted blocks for senior
Aubrey Pitts and sophomore
Selbie Christensen
UP NEXT
The Gaels return home on Thursday to continue their busy week with a match against San Diego at 7 p.m. followed by a match against BYU on Saturday at 1 p.m.
#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.
