Match #19
Saint Mary's Gaels (7-11, WCC 3-5) vs. Santa Clara Broncos (14-7, WCC 4-4)
Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
Moraga, Calif. — McKeon Pavilion
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Match #20
Saint Mary's Gaels (7-11, WCC 3-5) vs. San Francisco Dons (5-14, WCC 1-7)
Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 1 p.m. 
Moraga, Calif. — McKeon Pavilion
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MORAGA, Calif. – The Gaels look to remain hot this week as they host Santa Clara and San Francisco in the final two matches of their four-game homestand.

SCOUTING REPORT
Saint Mary's had a strong performance last week as they took the No. 3 team in the conference (LMU) to five sets and beat out Pepperdine 3-1. The Gaels narrowly lost to the Lions on Thursday after winning sets one and three, before falling by just three points in the fifth set. They were strong at the net against Loyola Marymount and recorded 14 blocks, tying their previous season-high that they recorded against Portland on October 12. SMC then took the momentum from Thursday's match and turned it into a win on Saturday against the Waves. After a number of strong performances at the net, the Gaels are now fourth in the conference in blocks per set (2.27) and fifth in the WCC in total team blocks (136). Senior Aubrey Pitts has led the defensive push this season and is second in the conference and 21st in the nation in individual blocks per set (1.35).

Senior Alex O'Sullivan turned in an impressive set of performances last week in the matches against the Lions and the Waves. Versus LMU, O'Sullivan recorded 11 kills and eight block assists, both of which surpassed her previous season-highs. Prior to Thursday's match, her season-high in kills was eight recorded against Cal on September 21 and her season-high in block assists was seven recorded against Gonzaga on October 10. O'Sullivan played in all nine sets for the Gaels last week and collected a combined 18 kills and 12 block assists.

Sophomore Breyan Ashley was also stellar for SMC in the last two matches as she recorded a combined 32 kills, good for 36 points on the week. She had a total of 13 digs and three service aces, as well as collected two block assists in the match against Pepperdine. Ashley leads the team with a total of 205 kills on the season, which puts her just three shy of her 300th career-kill as a Gael. She is also now one of only three players on the team to have played in every set this season.

SANTA CLARA
Santa Clara has recorded a 14-7 start this year, while picking up four conference wins and four conference losses along the way. The Broncos are 4-2 through their last six matches and they are currently on a two-match win-streak after finding success at home against Gonzaga and Portland. The Pilots were the first team in the WCC and the fourth team overall to take the Broncos to five sets. SCU is ranked fifth in the conference and has only taken losses against the top four teams in the WCC (LMU, Pepperdine, San Diego, BYU). Santa Clara's away record is 2-6 this year and they have not won a game on the road since September 21. The Broncos hold the all-time record of 40-24 against Saint Mary's, but last season the Gaels won both matches against SCU.

SAN FRANCISCO
The Dons have a record of 5-14 this season and they are 1-7 in conference play. San Francisco beat Gonzaga this weekend after taking them to five sets, which snapped an 11-match losing streak for the Dons which began on September 14 during the Bay Area Invitational. They are ranked ninth in the conference and their win against the Bulldogs marked their first WCC win of the season. The Dons have yet to win a game on the road this year as they are 0-7 coming into their match against the Gaels, but they will play Pacific on Thursday prior to their match in Moraga. Saint Mary's holds the all-time record versus San Francisco (39-26) and SMC has won the last six matches dating back to 2016.
 
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