MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's completed their week in the Pacific Northwest with a strong, 3-1 win over Portland on Saturday.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• SET ONE | The Gaels came out and took the first three points of the match on Saturday against the Pilots. At the first timeout of the set, Saint Mary's held a 7-3 lead before extending it to eight points shortly after with a 5-0 run. SMC remained in control through the remainder of the set and went on another 5-0 run late in the set to secure an 11-point advantage over Portland. The Gaels shut down a late drive from the Pilots and went on to win the first set 25-19. Saint Mary's was dominant at the net as they recorded five kills, compared to Portland who had zero.

• SET TWO | The Pilots and the Gaels began the second set by trading points back and forth before eventually tying 6-6. Portland took their first two-point lead in the middle of the set when they pulled out to a 10-8 lead. A lengthy challenge review in the middle of the set caused a long break in play, but the Gaels came back and took the following point to come within one of the Pilots. The two teams went point-for-point late into the set with the two teams tied 19-19 at one point. Saint Mary's and Portland remained neck-and-neck until the Pilots went on a 3-0 run to end the set and win 25-23.

• SET THREE | Saint Mary's went 5-1 to begin the third set before the teams went back to trading points. The Gaels maintained a steady three-point lead for a majority of the set as Portland fought to remain close. SMC continued to be efficient at the net as they recorded four more blocks in the third set. The Pilots tried to make a comeback in the later part of the set, but Saint Mary's was able to lock it down and won the third set 25-19.

• SET FOUR | SMC took the first two points of the fourth set and remained just ahead of the Pilots for most of the beginning of the set. The Gaels took a 10-5 lead and kept ahead of Portland despite their best efforts to overtake them. The Pilots pulled within two points of Saint Mary's (16-14) but the Gaels then went on a 4-0 run to pull further away from Portland. SMC was able to shut down the Pilots in the end and took set four 25-17, winning the match 3-1.

QUOTABLES

"We are on a mission to improve every single day, and today was another step forward," said head coach Rob Browning. "We are starting to realize our potential, but, quite frankly, we are just scratching the surface. This team is improving incrementally, but there are a handful of things we can do that will thrust us leaping forward. I need to do a better job of showing this team the vision that I have of them. They are better than they believe they are. On Monday we are going to get back to work, but first I have to help them see the vision of what can be. I'm so excited to get back in the gym with them on Monday."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• 14: The Gaels recorded a total of 14 blocks on Saturday, outblocking (4) Portland by 10
• 39: Combine kills from the Gaels' top three producers (Breyan Ashley - 14, Elena Baka - 13, Sienna Young - 12)
• 3: Service aces for senior Alexsa "Crash" Parker, just one shy of her season-high
• 7: Team-high number of block assists for senior Aubrey Pitts

UP NEXT

The Gaels will return home to the Bay Area next week for matches against LMU and Pepperdine on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.