MORAGA, Calif. — Coming off of a seven day break, the Gaels (13-11, 7-5 WCC) took care of business on Saturday, downing the Santa Clara Broncos (11-14, 3-10 WCC) in four sets (25-19, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22). Saint Mary's was dominant in the first two sets, but the Broncos came roaring back in the third, forcing the Gaels to four sets. Set four was arguably the tightest in the contest, with 11 ties and five lead changes, but Saint Mary's accurate attack gave them the surge they needed to win the set and the match.
A JACK ELLA OF ALL TRADES
Senior setter Ella Sandt has been known for her precise setups of Gael attackers throughout her illustrious career. While her sets were once again excellent today, she contributed in all other facets of the game as well, and was a major driving force in the victory. Ella notched a career-best eight kills on 12 swings and just one error to go along with her 32 assists on the offensive front. Defensively she contributed five digs and tied her career-high with four total blocks. Round things out, beyond the service line, Ella tallied just one ace, but did not commit a single service error in 16 total serves. Filling in as a full rotation setter due to injuries, Ella hasn't missed a beat, and will hope to continue to drive the Gaels towards victory in the final two weeks of the year.
A BIG DAY FROM STRONG
Kjersti Strong was unrelenting on the attack for the Gaels today. The senior middle blocker took 30 swings in the contest, connecting for 16 kills and just three errors. It is Kjersti's second highest mark this season, as she continues to serve as the Gaels kills leader this season. The match marks the end of a brief cold-spell for Kjersti, who had gone three matches without reaching double-digit kills.
PERFECT DAYS FOR ERLAND, TAYLOR
While neither of them finished as the Gaels kills leader, Hannah Taylor and Kristen Erland were turned every time the Gaels needed a momentous kills, and both of them answered the bell. The duo combined to hit 0.560, combining for 14 kills on 25 swings and no errors. It was a career-high for Taylor when it comes to attack percentage as the junior transfer hit 0.692 on her own, while Erland continued her unprecedented season, as her 0.417 attack percentage on the day brought her season number to 0.408, still the best mark for a single season in program history.
QUOTABLE
"What a great battle today! Santa Clara was on a mission after we swept them down there. They really stepped up in the 3rd and 4th sets. We weathered it and the Gaels were the team to step up in the end.
Ella Sandt did a great job distributing the ball to our hitters and we had a solid match offensively. I'm proud of our team for bringing the fight and finishing it!" – Head Coach
Rob Browning
"I think between the third and fourth sets, we discussed that Santa Clara wasn't going to just keel over and let us take the win, as they are a solid team, and we really embraced that and let the best volleyball come through on our end. It's always exciting to get to play good volleyball like today!" – Kjersti Strong
UP NEXT
The Gaels will hit the road one last time this season, as they head north to take on Portland and Gonzaga. Stop one will be in Spokane on Thursday night at 6 PM.
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