SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Wrapping up the annual WCC Midseason Invitational, Saint Mary's Beach Volleyball was on the door of another perfect day in Santa Cruz. With a match in the morning against Pacific and one in the afternoon against #5 LMU, the Gaels were looking to run the table at this year's midseason tournament. After sweeping Pacific 5-0, the Gaels had some close decisions go against them against the fifth-ranked Lions, resulting in a 4-1 loss with close scores. Saint Mary's now stands at 5-5 heading into the final three weeks of the beach season.
 
It was a near perfect start to the day for Saint Mary's, as the Gaels took all but one set on the morning against the Tigers. It began with Jasmin Suarez and Sienna Young slotted in the twos again and taking down their Pacific foes 21-11 and 21-14. Alexsa "Crash" Parker and Hawley Harrer then reclaimed dominance in the top pairing as they limited the Tigers to just 8 and 11 points in their sweep of the Tigers.
 
Makenna Joyce and Selbie Christensen picked up their third win as a pair this season when they defeated the Pacific fives 21-16 and 21-7, scoring the Gaels best win of the day. Karmin Brown and Madison Baumann were next for the Gaels, and in a pair of sets that came down to the wire, Brown and Baumann prevailed with 21-19 wins. Morgan Kendrick and Jennifer "Boo" Laird were the only pair to not escape with a sweep, but they did recover after dropping the first set to win the in threes with scores of 21-11 and 15-11.
 
The matches against LMU told a different story, but as has been the case against ranked opponents all season long, the Gaels were nearly able to take away some sets and some wins. IT was Joyce and Christensen again stealing the show, as they took the battle of fifth pairs in straight sets, with wins of 21-18 and 23-21 for the Gaels lone win of the day, capping off a perfect day and weekend for Joyce and Christensen. Wrapping up the day, Parker and Harrer were nearly able to take the second set from the Lions top pair, but fell just shy on the wrong side of a 23-21 decision. In the twos, Chandler Cowell and Elena Baka were strong, but were ultimately defeated 21-19 in both the first and second sets. Flip these scores around, and the Gaels could have had an upset win on the afternoon.
 
RESULTS vs. PACIFIC
(2) Jasmin Suarez/Sienna Young (SMC) def. Gabby Leo/Alexa Edwards (PAC) 21-11, 21-14
(1) Alexsa "Crash" Parker/Hawley Harrer (SMC) def. Hanne de Schrijver/Sedona Sherman (PAC) 21-8, 21-11
(5) Makenna Joyce/Selbie Christensen (SMC) def. Claire Danna/Sammie Sheppard (PAC) 21-16, 21-7
(6) Aeriel Sundt/Trinity Durfee (SMC) def. Miranda Baptista/Illyria Kalaj (PAC) 21-14, 22-20 (exhibition)
(4) Karmin Brown/Madison Baumann (SMC) def. Hania Taduran/Lucy Carpenter (PAC) 21-19, 21-19
(3) Morgan Kendrick/Jennifer "Boo" Laird (SMC) def. Jenny Todd/Jadyn Tubbs (PAC) 15-21, 21-11, 15-11
 
RESULTS vs. LMU
(4) Emma Doud/Madi Firnett (LMU) def. Morgan Kendrick/Jennifer "Boo" Laird (SMC) 21-10, 21-14
(3) Darby Dunn/Georgia Fusco (LMU) def. Jasmin Suarez/Sienna Young (SMC) 21-11, 21-16
(6) Piper Manross/Michaela Rezentes (LMU) def. Aeriel Sundt/Trinity Durfee (SMC) 21-8, 21-14 (exhibition)
(5) Makenna Joyce/Selbie Christensen (SMC) def. Jacinda Ramirez/Cassie Chinn (LMU) 21-18, 23-21
(2) Jessie Prichard/Savannah Slattery (LMU) def. Chandler Cowell/Elena Baka (SMC) 21-19, 21-19
(1) Iya Lindahl/Megan Rice (LMU) def. Alexsa "Crash" Parker/Hawley Harrer (SMC) 21-14, 23-21
 
HODGE THOUGHTS
"Our team had a very strong two days against WCC opponents. Our players continue to learn and grow in every set that they play. We are blessed with experience, leadership and grit, at every position in our lineup. We had some pairs really turn the corner, especially against LMU. Crash and Hawley came very close to pulling off the upset, as did Elena and Chandler. Selbie and Makenna ended up winning the #5 pair against the Lions, currently ranked fifth in the nation. Our team is looking forward to another tough opponent as we travel to UC Davis on Sunday then host them for senior night this coming Thursday." – head coach, Gary Hodge

JOYCE JUDGES
"It was a great weekend overall as a team. We were able to beat three good teams. Selbie and I were able to come out with the win against LMU which was a competitive match from start to finish. Beating a top team was awesome to do at the beach." - Makenna Joyce
 
UP NEXT
The Gaels play UC Davis twice in the next few days, beginning on Sunday, April 11 at their place. The two teams will then come back to Moraga for what stands as the Gaels final home match of the season, on April 15 at 4:00 pm.