LARAMIE, Wyo. — The 2021 indoor volleyball season is set to begin this weekend for Saint Mary's, back to playing at their traditional time in the fall semester. After playing the previous year in the spring semester, the Gaels will open the 2021 year in Wyoming for the Rumble in the Rockies, hosted by the University of Wyoming. SMC will play three matches over two days against Siena and the hosting Cowgirls.
 
THE DETAILS
Siena Saints vs. Saint Mary's Gaels
Friday, August 27 at 9:00 pm
UNIWYO Sports Complex – Laramie, Wyo.
Watch Live | Live Stats
 
Saint Mary's Gaels at Wyoming Cowgirls
Friday, August 27 at 1:00 pm and Saturday, August 28 at 5:30 pm
UNIWYO Sports Complex – Laramie, Wyo.
Watch Live (both matches) | Live Stats (both matches)
 
LAST SEASON
The Gaels went 7-10 during their WCC-only season, with one game that went un-played due to Pacific cancelling the remainder of their season due to injury/COVID-19. That record was good for sixth-best in the WCC. Despite only playing 17 matches, there were two big stretches that defined the Gaels season: a five-match losing streak after their first win, and a four-match winning streak immediately following. The season got off to a 1-6 start after the Gaels opened against some of the best in the conference including Pepperdine and San Diego. The Gaels found their footing against the weaker teams, with that four-match winning streak against Gonzaga, Portland (x2), and Pacific. Three Gaels were named to the All-WCC team in an honorable mention fashion: Elena Baka, Boo Laird, and Hawley Harrer.
 
ABOUT SIENA
Siena struggled their limited matches during the spring of 2021, going just 1-7 in MAAC play. Their one win came against Manhattan in five sets on March 18, the first match of a doubleheader. They begin this season ranked eighth out of 10 teams in the MAAC. Siena returns nine players from last year's squad, but also welcome in eight newcomers to the roster. They will be going all over for tournament play before the start of conference action, as they'll head to Durham, New Hampshire following the Rumble in the Rockies for the Holly Young Invitational, hosted by New Hampshire.
 
ABOUT WYOMING
The Cowgirls went 8-6 last spring, but started the year 4-0 before finishing 4-6 over their last 10 matches. Members of the Mountain West, the Cowgirls figure to present more of a challenge for the Gaels, after hitting at 0.227 clip last year and playing strong on the block. They were picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West preseason poll, while Jackie McBride was named to the preseason All-MW team. McBride is focal point of that strong presence at the net, where she was third in the conference in blocks per set and fourth in hitting percentage. She also became the second Cowgirl in program history to be named all-league four times.
 
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