SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — In the final tune-up before the WCC Championships, Saint Mary's took on one of teams they might see in Santa Monica next weekend, while also squaring off against a ranked foe. In a double-dip hosted by Cal Poly, Saint Mary's split a pair of matches on Saturday. In the afternoon, the Gaels came out on top over WCC-rival Santa Clara with a 4-1 final, and in the nightcap, the Gaels lost a close one to sixth-ranked Cal Poly 3-2. As the regular season concludes, the Gaels are 9-9.
 
Saint Mary's began the day by taking on Santa Clara and taking care of business, beating them 4-1 for the second time this season. The day got started with a win in the fours for Makenna Joyce and Selbie Christensen, who snagged their seventh win of the season and their first in the fours, by beating Reinert and Georgiadis of Santa Clara 21-19 and 21-17. Saint Mary's inched closer to victory with Karmin Brown and Madison Baumann earning their fifth win of the season, and staying a perfect 3-0 in the fives, with set wins of 21-17 and 21-18. Alexsa "Crash" Parker and Hawley Harrer won for the eighth time this season with scores of 21-18 and 21-11 to secure the victory for Saint Mary's, while Morgan Kendrick and Jennifer "Boo" Laird won for the tenth time this year to pace the Gaels. Theirs was the lone five-setter of the match, taking down Bennett and Anthony of Santa Clara 21-17, 15-21, and 16-14.
 
The final match of the day was long-awaited for #6 Cal Poly, as they got to break in their new lights that surround the beach courts. Playing under those bright lights, the Gaels shined in nearly taking the match away from the Mustangs. The first match to reach its conclusion went to the Gaels, as it was Laird and Kendrick again winning for their team-best 11^th victory, this time doing so in two sets with scores of 21-13 and 23-21. The only other victory Saint Mary's would snag would be Joyce and Christensen, who won in the fives with scores of 17-21, 21-17, and 17-15. Their come-from-behind win ensured they would have a perfect weekend, giving them a lot of momentum heading into the WCC Championships.
 
RESULTS vs. SANTA CLARA
(1) Alexsa "Crash" Parker/Hawley Harrer (SMC) def. Kathryn Decker/Claire Doud (SCU) 21-18, 21-11
(2) Julia Sangiacomo/Michelle Shaffer (SCU) def. Jasmin Suarez/Sienna Young (SMC) 21-19, 21-11
(3) Morgan Kendrick/Jennifer "Boo" Laird (SMC) def. Jordan Bennett/Alex Anthony (SCU) 21-17, 15-21, 16-14
(4) Makenna Joyce/Selbie Christensen (SMC) def. Gretchen Reinert/Kat Georgiadis (SCU) 21-19, 21-17
(5) Karmin Brown/Madison Baumann (SMC) def. Elena Radeff/Alexia Gallegos (SCU) 21-17, 21-18 
 
ORDER FINISH: 2, 4, 5, 1*, 3
 
RESULTS vs. #6 CAL POLY
(1) Macy Gordon/Emily Sonny (CP) def. Chandler Cowell/Elena Baka (SMC) 21-19, 21-13
(2) Jayelin Lombard/Amy Ozee (CP) def. Alexsa "Crash" Parker/Hawley Harrer (SMC) 21-15, 21-18
(3) Mariah Whalen/Tia Miric (CP) def. Jasmin Suarez/Sienna Young (SMC) 21-16, 22-20
(4) Morgan Kendrick/Jennifer "Boo" Laird (SMC) def. Kalee Graff/Delaney Peranich (CP) 21-13, 23-21
(5) Makenna Joyce/Selbie Christensen (SMC) def. Vanessa Roscoe/Josie Ulrich (CP) 17-21, 21-17, 17-15 
 
ORDER FINISH: 4, 2, 1, 3*, 5
 
UP NEXT
Saint Mary's will now prepare themselves for their final matches of the year in the 2021 WCC Championships in Santa Monica. The Gaels will face the best of the best in the WCC, with two ranked teams in the WCC sure to give the Gaels some of the best competition they've seen this year. It will be the first time since 2019 the WCC has held the championships, where the Gaels finished third overall in the conference. The tournament begins on Friday, April 30 and concludes on Saturday, May 1.