Match #17
Saint Mary's Gaels (6-10, WCC 2-4) vs. Loyola Marymount Lions (10-8, WCC 4-2)
Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
Moraga, Calif. — McKeon Pavilion
Live Stats 
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Match #18
Saint Mary's Gaels (6-10, WCC 2-4) vs. Pepperdine Waves (9-8, WCC 5-1)
Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 1 p.m. 
Moraga, Calif. — McKeon Pavilion
Live Stats 

MORAGA, Calif. – The Gaels will return to McKeon Pavilion this week to take on SoCal rivals LMU and Pepperdine.

SCOUTING REPORT
Saint Mary's had a productive week on the road as they took wins against Gonzaga and Portland. In the match against the Bulldogs, the Gaels made a comeback after dropping the first set and won the next three. Against the Pilots, the teams split the first two sets before Saint Mary's was able to shut Portland down and win the next two. After strong performances this week, seniors Aubrey Pitts and Alexsa "Crash" Parker ended up in the national rankings; Pitts is now 21st in the nation and second in the WCC in blocks per set (1.35) and Parker is 23rd nationally and second in the conference in aces per set (0.48). Parker is also fourth in the conference in total aces (26) this season. SMC is ranked fourth in the conference in blocks per set (2.10).

Sophomore Breyan Ashley continues to be a leader for the Gaels after another week of strong performances. Ashley recorded a combined 25 kills, 25 digs, and six blocks across the two matches and collected the most kills on the team in Saturday's match against Portland. Her average in kills per set (2.88) is the highest among her teammates and she has the second highest number of service aces (16) behind Parker.

Freshman Elena Baka has remained impressive in her first season with Saint Mary's as she also had a productive week on the road. Baka collected 25 kills, 28 digs, and seven blocks through both matches and her 12 kills against Gonzaga was the highest on the team. Her hitting percentage was efficient as well as she recorded a .290 clip in 31 attempts against the Bulldogs. She has the second most kills on the team and her kills per set average (2.67) is also second among her teammates. Baka recorded double-doubles in both matches last week and now has six total on the year. She is also among just a few players who has played in all 60 sets for Saint Mary's this season.

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT
The Lions are 10-8 so far this season with a conference record of 4-2 after taking a win (UP) and a loss (Pepperdine) last week. LMU has recorded sweeps in each of their WCC wins this season, including one over Portland on October 5. Their two losses have come against BYU, who they took to five sets on October 1, and Pepperdine who beat them 3-1 last Friday. Loyola Marymount is ranked 79th in the NCAA RPI poll which is the fourth highest in the conference. LMU is also third in the conference (49th nationally) in kills per set (13.46), while freshman Rose Booth is ranked second in the WCC in kills per set with 3.58. In both matches between the Lions and the Gaels last season, the Lions recorded wins as they swept SMC in the first matchup and won in five sets in the second.

PEPPERDINE
The Waves have a record of 9-8 this season and they are 5-1 in conference-play. Pepperdine is on a three-match win streak since October 3 after taking down Portland, Gonzaga, and LMU. The only WCC loss that the Waves have taken this season came against San Diego when the two teams were forced to five sets. Prior to their match against Saint Mary's, Pepperdine will make a stop in Stockton to face the Pacific Tigers. The Waves are ranked 65th in the NCAA RPI poll which is third best in the conference. Pepperdine is third in the WCC in aces per set (1.70) which is good for 27th in the nation. They are also ranked first in the conference and 11th in the country in total team kills (890) while junior Shannon Scully is ranked first in the WCC in total attacks (590). The Waves swept the Gaels in both matchups last season.
 
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