CEDAR CITY, Utah – Saint Mary's ended the Thunderbird Classic with a bang, taking down Middle Tennessee in four sets while producing their most blocks in a single match since 2007.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
 • SET ONE | SMC dominated the beginning of the first set against Middle Tennessee, jumping out to a 16-8 lead. However, an 8-0 Blue Raider scoring run tied the match at 16 points apiece which put Middle Tennessee back into contention. Nevertheless, the Gaels scored four of the next five points, taking a 20-17 lead advantage, and forcing the Blue Raiders to take a timeout. SMC went on to take the next five points to win the set 25-17, capping off a 7-0 scoring streak.   
 
• SET TWO | The Gaels jumped out to an early, 8-4 lead and did not look back, extending their advantage to 14-9. Despite Middle Tennessee using a 3-0 run to pull within two points (17-15), SMC ultimately took eight of the final ten points to take the second set 25-17.
 
• SET THREE | SMC quickly took a 9-6 lead, but the Blue Raiders scored seven of the next eight points to take a 12-10 lead of their own. Four of the next five points went the way of the Gaels and SMC recaptured the lead (14-13). The next few points went back-and-forth, but Middle Tennessee pulled ahead late (19-16). The Gaels fought off two set points to pull within one, but the Blue Raiders took the match 25-23.
 
• SET FOUR | Saint Mary's wasted no time in taking the lead in set number four, leading by four points after 10 had been played (7-3). The Gaels extended their lead to five (11-6), but Middle Tennessee did not go away easily: the Blue Raiders kept within reach for the majority of the final set, but SMC was able to hold on for a 25-16 victory to win the match.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
 
Freshman Kelsey Knudsen was named to the Thunderbird Classic All-Tournament Team. In three games, she produced 25 digs and 9 assists will serving as libero in all 14 sets. Her best performance was against Southern Utah where she picked up 16 digs and seven assists.
 
QUOTABLE
 
 "I'm happy with how the team came together today after two tough losses," said head coach Rob Browning. "We are excited to be home next weekend hosting Cornell and Utah State. We've got work to do in the gym, but we will be ready."
 
"We had a lot of energy and aggressiveness in today's match," said freshman Elena Baka. "We enjoyed it and had fun! It was a good comeback from yesterday's match and we are looking forward to our home opener next weekend."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
 
2: Number of career-highs for Baka (13 kills and 11 digs)
3: Sophomore Breyan Ashley recorded her third double-double in 3 games, collecting 12 digs and 12 kills along with three blocks.
19: No. of SMC blocks – tied for fourth all-time in program history and their most since November 17, 2007 at Loyola Marymount
7: No. of blocks for junior Jennifer "Boo" Laird

UP NEXT
 
The Gaels will return to Moraga for their home opener on Friday, September 13 against Cornell at 6:00 p.m. The match is part of the Bay Area Invitational in which SMC will also host Utah State the following day 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.