Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
VB | Gaels Won’t Have to Travel Far for Next Road Contests, Take on USF and Santa Clara
10/4/2023 2:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MORAGA, Calif. — The Saint Mary's Gaels will stay close to home for their two road contests this weekend, taking on Bay Area rivals USF and Santa Clara. The Gaels have performed well against their fellow WCC Bay Area foes in recent years, and will hope that they can break out of their recent cold spell when taking on the Dons and Broncos.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels at San Francisco Dons
Thursday, October 5 at 7:00 PM
War Memorial at The Sobrato Center - San Francisco, Calif.
Watch | Live Stats
Saint Mary's Gaels at Santa Clara Broncos
Saturday, October 7 at 1:00 PM
Leavey Center - Santa Clara, Calif.
Watch | Live Stats
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
The Gaels have won six of their last seven road contests at San Francisco, and two of their last three on the road at Santa Clara. In fact, Saint Mary's hasn't dropped a set to either of these teams on the road since 2021. Searching for their first conference win of the season, the Gaels will hope to keep their positive road trends against the Dons and Broncos alive this season.
JOYCE ON A TEAR
Libero Makenna Joyce has demonstrated her dazzling defensive prowess all season long. The senior out of Chico has recorded double-digit digs in 14 consecutive matches, smashing her previous career best streak of nine, set a season ago. Joyce has also recorded at least one service ace in 12 of 15 matches, leading the team with 18 total aces on the season. Joyce's 3.93 digs per set this season currently ranks fifth all-time in program history, while her 3.10 career digs per set ranks 10th all-time.
ABOUT THE DONS
San Francisco is off to a 0.500 start on the 2023 season, sitting at 8-8, including a 2-2 record in WCC play. After going 14-15 in his inaugural season, Head Coach Diogo Silva hopes his team can make the leap to an above 0.500 team as WCC play wears on. Second-year Don Maria Petkova has been the driving offensive force for the USF this season, leading her squad with 149 kills and 16 aces, while demonstrating her defensive aptitude as well, ranking third on her team with 34 blocks and fourth with 110 digs. Speaking about defense, Don libero Abby Waddas currently leads the WCC with 240 digs. The Gaels lead the all-time series over the Dons 47-28, however, the Dons won their last meeting over the Gaels in four sets.
ABOUT THE BRONCOS
After their best start since 2019, the Broncos have cooled off a bit, currently sitting with a 9-6 record and a 1-2 WCC record. In her fifth season at the helm, Coach Erin Lindsey looks to guide her Broncos to their second winning season under her tutelage. Senior Sophia Tulino continues her incredible career for the Broncos, as she is up to a team-high 194 kills, and is on pace to reach 1000 this season. Tulino also leads the Broncos with 26 aces, while setter Nive Tuileta leads both the Broncos and the WCC with 525. This matchup will be the 75th all-time meeting between the Gaels and Broncos, with the Broncos leading the all-time series 44-30.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME VOLLEYBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.
#GaelsRise
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels at San Francisco Dons
Thursday, October 5 at 7:00 PM
War Memorial at The Sobrato Center - San Francisco, Calif.
Watch | Live Stats
Saint Mary's Gaels at Santa Clara Broncos
Saturday, October 7 at 1:00 PM
Leavey Center - Santa Clara, Calif.
Watch | Live Stats
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
The Gaels have won six of their last seven road contests at San Francisco, and two of their last three on the road at Santa Clara. In fact, Saint Mary's hasn't dropped a set to either of these teams on the road since 2021. Searching for their first conference win of the season, the Gaels will hope to keep their positive road trends against the Dons and Broncos alive this season.
JOYCE ON A TEAR
Libero Makenna Joyce has demonstrated her dazzling defensive prowess all season long. The senior out of Chico has recorded double-digit digs in 14 consecutive matches, smashing her previous career best streak of nine, set a season ago. Joyce has also recorded at least one service ace in 12 of 15 matches, leading the team with 18 total aces on the season. Joyce's 3.93 digs per set this season currently ranks fifth all-time in program history, while her 3.10 career digs per set ranks 10th all-time.
ABOUT THE DONS
San Francisco is off to a 0.500 start on the 2023 season, sitting at 8-8, including a 2-2 record in WCC play. After going 14-15 in his inaugural season, Head Coach Diogo Silva hopes his team can make the leap to an above 0.500 team as WCC play wears on. Second-year Don Maria Petkova has been the driving offensive force for the USF this season, leading her squad with 149 kills and 16 aces, while demonstrating her defensive aptitude as well, ranking third on her team with 34 blocks and fourth with 110 digs. Speaking about defense, Don libero Abby Waddas currently leads the WCC with 240 digs. The Gaels lead the all-time series over the Dons 47-28, however, the Dons won their last meeting over the Gaels in four sets.
ABOUT THE BRONCOS
After their best start since 2019, the Broncos have cooled off a bit, currently sitting with a 9-6 record and a 1-2 WCC record. In her fifth season at the helm, Coach Erin Lindsey looks to guide her Broncos to their second winning season under her tutelage. Senior Sophia Tulino continues her incredible career for the Broncos, as she is up to a team-high 194 kills, and is on pace to reach 1000 this season. Tulino also leads the Broncos with 26 aces, while setter Nive Tuileta leads both the Broncos and the WCC with 525. This matchup will be the 75th all-time meeting between the Gaels and Broncos, with the Broncos leading the all-time series 44-30.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME VOLLEYBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
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