MORAGA, Calif. – The Gaels fought hard against one of the top teams in the conference on Thursday, but were unable to overcome a late surge and fell 3-1 against Santa Clara.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• SET ONE | The Gaels came out swinging on Thursday and took the first three points of the set, but Santa Clara responded with a 5-0 run to take the lead shortly after. The Broncos began slowly pulling away, but SMC was able to record a 5-0 run of their own to bring them within a few points of Santa Clara. The teams began to trade points before they achieved a 12-12 tie and remained neck-and-neck late into the set. The Broncos then took control of an 8-2 run as they extended their lead to five points before winning the set 25-20. Stat leaders in the first set included freshman Elena Baka with six kills, Kelsey Knudsen with six digs, and Alex O'Sullivan with one block solo.

• SET TWO | While the Broncos scored the first few points of the second set, SMC was able to respond immediately and take a 6-2 lead shortly after the set began. Santa Clara was able to bring it within one point of the Gaels, but Saint Mary's kept control and held a 15-12 advantage at the first timeout. Sophomore Breyan Ashley took over as kill-leader in the second set and recorded a total of nine kills to help the Gaels secure a 22-17 lead towards the end of the set. Saint Mary's was then able to lock it down and won set two 25-18. Ashley also led the team with three service aces at the end of the set, while Alexsa "Crash" Parker was close behind with two.

• SET THREE | Saint Mary's and Santa Clara began the third by trading points back and forth, with neither team pulling ahead by more than two points during the beginning of the set. The Gaels then recorded points on a few long rallies and blocks at the net as they took a 13-8 lead, holding SCU to just a .155 clip. The Broncos were able to pull ahead by one point towards the end of the set before tying it at 24-24. The Gaels were unable to overcome the late surge by Santa Clara and fell in the third set 26-24. Saint Mary's had a total of eight block assists by the end of the third set and senior Aubrey Pitts led the team with three while Baka was close behind with two.

• SET FOUR | SMC took an early 8-3 lead to begin the fourth set following consecutive kills by O'Sullivan, which forced a timeout by SCU. The Broncos regained control soon after and went on a 4-0 run to pull back within a point of the Gaels (11-10). The two teams began to trade points through the middle portion of the set until they tied it at 17-17. They continued to go point-for-point, bringing the score up to 21-21, before Santa Clara was able to take a 24-22 lead. The Broncos went on to win the set 25-22 and win the match 3-1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• 16, 15: Ashley recorded a double-double with 16 kills and 15 digs against the Broncos
• 12: Baka recorded a double-double as well on Thursday with 12 kills and 12 digs
• 36: Combined digs by leaders Parker (15) and Knudsen (21)
• 4: O'Sullivan ended the night with four blocks; two block solos and two block assists

UP NEXT

The Gaels will wrap up their four-game homestand on Saturday as they host San Francisco at 1 p.m.