MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's Volleyball begins their second week of West Coast Conference play after a strong opening week on the road. The Gaels were able to win both of their openers in the Northwest last week, and now they return home for their first home conference match of the new year. SMC will host San Francisco on Tuesday night before making the short trip to Pacific on Friday night to close out the week.
 
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels (5-5, 2-0) vs. San Francisco Dons (7-5, 0-1)
Tuesday, September 27 at 7:00 pm
University Credit Union Pavilion – Moraga, Calif.
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Saint Mary's Gaels at University of the Pacific Tigers (9-5, 1-1)
Friday, September 30 at 6:00 pm
Alex G. Spanos Center – Stockton, Calif.
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LAST TIME OUT
Saint Mary's looked great in opening up conference play at Portland and Gonzaga last week, winning both matches to begin WCC play 2-0. The Gaels had to battle through five sets to get past Portland, but did so with a 15-5 finish in the final set. They were a bit more in control on Saturday against the Zags, winning in four sets after dropping the third set. Winning both matches on the road helped give Saint Mary's their first 2-0 start in conference play since 2013. Their play at the net and from the service line has improved dramatically, averaging 2.44 blocks per set and racking up 21 service aces through two conference matches.
 
TAKING OVER
This season has been a breakout year for fifth-year opposite Hawley Harrer, who has been excelling as the veteran of the Gaels attack. She has 10 or more kills in all but two matches this season, including 14+ in four matches. After racking up 16 kills at Portland on Wednesday, she piled up 18 on Saturday afternoon against Gonzaga, just one off of her career-high that she set earlier this year. She was a major factor in the final set when the Gaels closed it out in four sets, adding two kills and a solo block during the Gaels final seven points of the set.
 
ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO
After failing to win a match during the 2021 season, the Dons appear to be much improved in 2022. They've already won seven matches, which included a six-match winning streak to open up the season. They've come back to earth since, but there is much more talent this year than last. They opened conference play with a three-set loss to Santa Clara on Friday, and in that loss, they still managed to hit at a .306 clip. However, they allowed 13 aces and had nine errors of their own from the line. Maria Petkova was their best attacker, racking up an impressive 18 kills versus just two errors.
 
ABOUT PACIFIC
Pacific also seems to be a team that is improving in the West Coast Conference, with nine wins under their belts already and a 1-1 start in conference play. They have winning records in the Windy City Invitational, the UC San Diego Tournament, and the Central California Challenge in non-conference play. The Tigers also got a four-set win at Gonzaga to begin conference play before dropping a tough five-setter at Portland on Saturday afternoon. Before the Gaels and Tigers meet, Pacific will host Santa Clara on Tuesday night. Already, the Tigers lead the conference in kills, and have Alexa Edwards (219 kills, 23 aces, 117 digs) on their side.