MORAGA, Calif. – The Gaels bounced back on Saturday with a strong team performance to take the 3-1 win against the Pepperdine Waves.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• SET ONE | Saint Mary's scored first on Saturday afternoon before the Gaels and the Waves began trading points back and forth. At the first timeout, SMC had regained the lead and was ahead of Pepperdine 10-8. Following the break, Saint Mary's extended their lead to six points before the Waves were able to score and end SMC's 8-0 run. The Gaels continued to assert their dominance and ended the set with a seven point advantage (25-18) over Pepperdine. Sophomore Breyan Ashley (3), senior Alex O'Sullivan (3), and freshman Elena Baka (3) were tied for most total kills at the end of the first period while Alosina Thompson led the team with seven assists.

• SET TWO | The Gaels and the Waves kept it close in the beginning of the second set as they went point-for-point, eventually tying at 6-6. However, Pepperdine was able to keep Saint Mary's on their toes and went on a 5-1 run to take the 14-9 lead shortly after. SMC fought to keep close with the Waves, but Pepperdine extended their lead to seven points (21-14) late in the set before ultimately winning 25-18. Senior Aubrey Pitts and sophomore Selbie Christensen were pivotal at the net and had both recorded three block assists each by the end of the second set.

• SET THREE | Pepperdine and SMC started the third set similar to how they had started the other two and remained neck-and-neck through the initial minutes. The Waves took their first timeout of the third period with Saint Mary's in the lead 10-6 but they then went on a 5-1 run to tie the match at 11 apiece. The set didn't stay tied for long as the Gaels went on a 4-1 run of their own to take the 17-14 advantage and force Pepperdine to take a timeout. SMC maintained their three-point lead for most of the remainder of the match and went on to win the third set 25-22. At the end of the period, redshirt-freshman Kelsey Knudsen led the team with eight digs while Baka was close behind with seven and Ashley led the team with 12 kills.

• SET FOUR | Saint Mary's and Pepperdine were within one point of one another through the beginning of the set until the Waves took control of a 4-1 run and the 11-8 lead. The Gaels kept their cool and tied the match up before then taking the 15-14 lead and forcing a timeout by Pepperdine. Following the break, SMC continued to put the pressure on the Waves and extended their lead to 20-17, making Pepperdine take another timeout. Although the Waves were able to tie it 22-22, Saint Mary's was able to shut down their offensive push and went on to win the fourth set 25-22.

QUOTABLES

"The fact that we came back after Thursday's match to play a good team and produce such a good performance is a real credit to our players' toughness and resilience," said head coach Rob Browning. "Kelsey Knudsen anchored our performance with her passing and her defense, as well as a number of fabulous saves. She was dialed in today and her focus was a real benefit for the team. It was overall a strong team effort because we executed on our game plan and played with a lot of heart." 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• 19: Ashley ties her previous season-high of 19 kills that she recorded in the match against Paciifc.
• 7: Pitts also tied a previous season-high, but in block assists that she recorded against Portland
• 35: Combined assists for sophomore Alosina Thompson and senior Alexsa "Crash" Parker
• 5: Service aces for the Gaels on Saturday compared to Pepperdine who had two

UP NEXT

Saint Mary's will continue its four-game homestand next week as they host Santa Clara and San Francisco on Thursday (7:00 p.m.) and Saturday (1:00 p.m.), respectively.

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