WAIKIKI, Hawaii — Wrapping up a season-opening weekend in Waikiki, (RV) Saint Mary's wrapped up play in the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic, hosted by the University of Hawaii. The Gaels squared off against No. 7 Stanford for the first time in the event before getting a rematch against No. 2 UCLA in the first semifinal, but SMC came up empty in both contests, losing 5-0 in both. The Gaels begin the season 0-4 but undoubtedly battle tested after facing some of the toughest competition they will face all season.
 
Match 1: No. 7 Stanford 5, (RV) Saint Mary's 0
 
Saint Mary's put up a fight against their Bay Area rivals on neutral sand, as the Gaels nearly scored a pair of victories against the Cardinal. Right out of the gate, in the fours, Aeriel Sundt and Trinity Durfee put a scare into Emma Morris and Taylor Wilson of Stanford by taking them to bonus points, but couldn't seal the deal in a 23-21 defeat. Simultaneously, Chandler Cowell and Selbie Christensen took the second game against the twos of Stanford with a 22-20 final, but dropped the decisive third game.
 
In the final match, Makenna Joyce and Karmin Brown locked up with Emmy Sharp and Maya Harvey and went the distance in the first game before falling 21-19. The Gaels third pair was then able to get to 21 first in the second game, beating the Cardinal pair 21-17 to force the fifth set. Coming as close as anyone in the first match to winning, Brown and Joyce scored 11 points in the third game, but fell just short in the 15-11 score as Stanford swept.
 
(4) Emma Morris/Taylor Wilson (STAN) def. Aeriel Sundt/Trinity Durfee (SMC) 23-21, 21-11
(2) Charlie Ekstrom/Kate Reilly (STAN) def. Chandler Cowell/Selbie Christensen (SMC) 21-19, 20-22, 15-3
(5) Jordan McKinney/Serena Turner (STAN) def. Megan Chandler/Kristen Erland (SMC) 21-7, 21-13
(1) Xolani Hodel/Maddi Kriz (STAN) def. Jasmin Suarez/Jennifer "Boo" Laird (SMC) 21-11, 21-10
(3) Emmy Sharp/Maya Harvey (STAN) def. Makenna Joyce/Karmin Brown (SMC) 19-21, 21-17, 15-11
 
Match 2: No. 2 UCLA 5, (RV) Saint Mary's 0

Saint Mary's earned another chance to take down No. 2 UCLA in the first semifinal of the tournament, but again the Bruins stood tall. Two Gaels pairs came the closest, Durfee and Sundt again teaming up to come close in the fours, nearly taking down Sophie Moore and Natalie Myszkowski in the second game, but lost 21-18. In the battle between top pairs, Jasmin Suarez and Jennifer "Boo" Laird were able to take Lexy Denaburg and Lea Monkhouse to a 21-19 final in the first game, but dropped the second on 21-13 to end the threat of a third set.
 
(2) Abby Van Winkle/Rileigh Powers (UCLA) def. Chandler Cowell/Selbie Christensen (SMC) 21-6, 21-8
(4) Sophie Moore/Natalie Myszkowski (UCLA) def. Trinity Durfee/Aeriel Sundt (SMC) 21-13, 21-18
(5) Tessa Van Winkle/Jessie Smith (UCLA) def. Allie Cataldo/Laura Studebaker (SMC) 21-15, 21-11
(1) Lexy Denaburg/Lea Monkhouse (UCLA) def. Jasmin Suarez/Jennifer "Boo" Laird (SMC) 21-19, 21-13
(3) Maggie Walters/Katie Hashman (UCLA) def. Makenna Joyce/Karmin Brown (SMC) 21-12, 21-16
 
UP NEXT
Saint Mary's will head back to California for their home opener of the 2022 season when they play San Jose State on Tuesday, March 1. First serve is scheduled for 2:00 pm. This single match will be the precursor to the annual WCC/Big West Challenge, where the Gaels will play three times on March 5. Current matches are scheduled against Sacramento State, CSU Bakersfield, and CSUN.