MORAGA, Calif. – The Gaels had a rough start on Saturday night after falling behind two sets to the Golden Bears, and while they took the third set, they were unable to make the comeback and fell 3-1 to No. 24 Cal.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• SET ONE | The Gaels and the Golden Bears picked up where they left off from Thursday as they began the match on Saturday. The teams began by trading points back and forth before Cal found their groove and took a seven-point lead. Saint Mary's struggled to find their rhythm and fell behind by 11 points. SMC continued to fight to make up some points but the Golden Bears kept their pace and held the 18-7 advantage at the second timeout. Freshman Jadyn van Santen came in and recorded her first kill as a Gael, but it was not enough and Cal went on to win the set 25-12.

• SET TWO | Saint Mary's took the first point of the second set followed by a point from Cal to start a back-and-forth between the two teams. The Gaels kept the Golden Bears in their sights and within two-to-three points in the early stages of the set. Cal pulled out to a 11-6 lead before SMC went on a 4-0 run to bring the set back within one point. The run gave the Gaels momentum and they tied it up at 12-apiece before taking the 16-14 lead shortly after and forcing Cal to take a timeout. The teams swapped points until the Golden Bears took a 20-17 lead and the Gaels took a timeout of their own. Cal remained in the lead and won the set 25-18.

• SET THREE | The Gaels took an early 5-1 lead in the third and forced Cal to take a timeout just minutes into the set. Saint Mary's remained in the lead, however the Golden Bears fought to bring the set back within three points. It didn't last for long and the Gaels kept Cal on their toes and brought the score to 17-10. SMC continued to hound the Golden Bears and a number of long rallies put them up 22-14 over Cal. As Saint Mary's took a timeout they held the 23-18 advantage over Cal. The Gaels went on to take set three 25-19 to avoid the sweep and force a fourth set.

• SET FOUR | Saint Mary's and Cal went point-for-point through the beginning of the fourth set, with no team leading by more than two points for most of the early set until SMC took the 12-8 lead. The Golden Bears fought back to take the 15-12 lead following a 6-0 run, but the Gaels tied it up 15-15 moments later. The teams remained close before Cal took a 21-18 lead and forced a Saint Mary's timeout. While it came down to the wire, the Gaels were unable to close it out and Cal went on to win 25-21 and win the match 3-1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• 1: van Santen made her collegiate debut on Saturday and recorded one kill during her time on the court
• 5: New season-high kills for sophomore Selbie Christensen
• 2: Sophomore Breyan Ashley recorded her second block-solo of the season during the third set

UP NEXT

Following the completion of their non-conference play on Saturday, Saint Mary's will host their first WCC-opponent on Friday. The Pacific Tigers will travel to McKeon Pavilion with first serve taking place at 7:00 p.m.

#GaelsRise – For ticket information to all home volleyball matches, call the SMC Ticket Office
today at 925-631-4689 or click the ticket link here to purchase your seats now.