MORAGA, Calif. – The Gaels fought a tough battle on Friday night, forcing Pacific to five sets, but were unable to take it all the way and fell 3-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• SET ONE | The Gaels and the Tigers began Friday night by trading points before Saint Mary's took an 11-8 lead just before the first time out. Following the break, SMC continued to pull away from Pacific and extended their lead to five points before forcing the Tigers to take a break of their own. The Gaels didn't look back and went on to win the set by a solid eight-point margin (25-17). Saint Mary's showed early dominance at the net and collected a total of five blocks in the first set compared to Pacific who recorded none.

• SET TWO | Pacific started the second set with a 4-1 lead, but SMC quickly regained control and tied the match up at 7 apiece. The teams went back and forth for a majority of the set but as the Tigers took their first time out, they held a 15-12 advantage over the Gaels. Saint Mary's found their stride and tied the match at 17-17 as the teams then went point-for-point into the final moments of the set. Pacific pulled out to the 24-20 lead before the Gaels responded by scoring two in a row, but it wasn't enough to regain the lead and the Tigers won the set 25-22.

• SET THREE | The Tigers took the momentum from their set two win and took an early 6-2 lead over the Gaels, but Saint Mary's took advantage of a number of key rallies and tied it up 8-8. Pacific continued to pressure SMC and remained ahead by two-to-three points through the middle portion of the set. The two teams went back and forth until the Tigers took the 21-15 lead and forced SMC to take a timeout. Saint Mary's went on a late 5-1 run to bring the score to 21-24, but were unable to overcome the Tigers lead and dropped set three 25-21.

• SET FOUR | The Gaels and the Tigers went point-for-point to begin the fourth set until SMC was able to pull ahead to 10-7. Pacific remained close on their heels and spent most of the set within one point of Saint Mary's. The Tigers were able to catch back up with the Gaels and tied the set a 16 apiece before taking the 17-16 lead. SMC then went on a 4-0 run to take the 20-17 lead, but Pacific responded by tying the set again 20-20. The Gaels locked it down and went on to take the set 25-22.

• SET FIVE | Pacific started the final set with a 5-1 advantage over Saint Mary's but the teams remained close for most of the set. While the Gaels fought to keep it under control, the Tigers eventually won the set (15-11) and therefore the match 3-2.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• 13: Total number of blocks for the Gaels, just two shy of their season high
• 17-11: Freshman Elena Baka recorded a double-double on Friday with 17 kills and 11 digs
• 2: Number of block solos for senior Alex O'Sullivan, a new season high

UP NEXT

Coming up, the Gaels hit the road for the first of three matches next week as they face off against Santa Clara on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. before returning home to take on San Diego and BYU.

#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.