SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — After a solid season that saw the Gaels have their best finish since 2018, it should come as no surprise that five Gaels were named to the 2023 All-WCC team. This is the third time the Gaels have placed five on the All-WCC postseason honors, also doing so in 2009 and 2010.

Kjersti Strong earned first team honors. The outstanding middle blocker led the Gaels with 308 kills and 161 blocks (also tops in the WCC). She was the first Gael since 2005 to surpass 150 blocks in a season (Christina Kirk). Kjersti hit 0.336 on the season, moving her career total to 0.313, a new program record. This was Kjersti's second time being on the All-WCC team in as many seasons, earning second team honors last year. 

Fellow middle blocker Kristen Erland earned second team honors. Only a junior, Erland put together the best season by attack percentage in program history, swinging at a whopping 0.397 clip. That number ranked her second in WCC, and tied her for tenth best in conference history. Erland also ranked second on the team with 101 blocks and fourth in kills with 184. It is Erland's second time being honored by the WCC, as she was named to the All-Freshman team in 2021. 

Genevieve Bane, Makenna Joyce and Ella Sandt all earned honorable mention all-conference recognition. Bane, who was named a to the preseason All-WCC team, finished second on the team in kills (257), third in service aces (30) and third in digs (180). Joyce put together a 418 dig season to lead the Gaels and the WCC, while also leading her squad with 33 service aces. Sandt led the team with 690 assists and ranked second with 228 digs. 

The Gaels will graduate Strong, Joyce and Sandt this season, and are excited to return Bane Erland. Strong was the Gaels 30th first team All-WCC honoree, while Erland was the 10th second team All-WCC honoree in program history, bringing the Gaels program tally to 40 total selectees.

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