WAIKIKI, Hawaii — While recent weather in the Bay Area might not feel too beach-like, Saint Mary's Beach Volleyball is heading across the Pacific Ocean for warmer weather during the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic. This is the first trip to Hawaii for the Gaels since the 2019 season, and they will see some of the best teams in the country right out of the gate.
 
THE DETAILS
Friday, February 25
No. 10 Hawai'i vs. RV Saint Mary's..........10:00 a.m. PT
No. 2 UCLA vs. RV Saint Mary's.............4:00 p.m. PT
 
Saturday, February 26
No. 7 Stanford vs. RV Saint Mary's.........12:00 pm PT
Semifinal #1................................2:00 p.m. PT
Semifinal #2................................4:00 p.m. PT
Final............................................6:00 p.m. PT
 
Live Stats for All Matches
 
LAST SEASON
Saint Mary's enjoyed a winning season as they returned to the sand for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, finishing the season 12-11. They had to begin the year while indoor play was still on-going, but endured that to finish the year above .500 and with some impressive wins, including the program's first-ever victory over perennial powerhouse, Pepperdine. Five Gaels took home postseason accolades, and three of those players return for 2022, including Makenna Joyce, Chandler Cowell, and Hawley Harrer. Their efforts last season combined with the outlook for 2022 earned the Gaels a "receiving votes" designation in the first AVCA Beach Volleyball Poll of the year.
 
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
The Gaels will face some of the top competition in the country in Hawaii, UCLA, and Stanford, with all three teams finishing last season ranked inside the top-13 in the country. UCLA finished as the runner-up in the 2021 NCAA Championship, losing to Pac-12 rival USC 3-1. The Bruins have won two of the five NCAA Beach Volleyball National Championships handed out. Stanford is always a tough opponent, beginning the year ranked seventh in the country, but the Gaels and Cardinal have split their last eight matchups against each other. The Gaels have met with Hawaii on four occasions and have dropped all four matches, winning just three sets against the Rainbow Wahine.