SPOKANE, Wash. — Saint Mary's Volleyball (14-11, 8-5 WCC) was pushed to the brink by a Gonzaga (3-21, 0-13 WCC) team that put together one of its best performances of the season. The Gaels were forced to stave off match point in the final set, but rallied back in dramatic fashion to defeat the Bulldogs in five (22-25, 27-25, 25-27, 25-20, 17-15). The win guarantees the Gaels a 0.500 or better season, as they continue to show tremendous growth from a season ago. 

TAYLOR PUTS THE TEAM ON HER BACK
Tonight's kills leader, Hannah Taylor, nearly single handedly pulled the Gaels from an early 6-1 deficit in set five to eventually capture the W. Taylor ended the Bulldogs early 6-1 run with a call, then got her hands on a block paired with Kjersti Strong to bring the deficit to 6-3. The Gaels would take this momentum and run with it to bring the score to 10-9 in their favor, but the Bulldogs would rally to get a 14-13 lead and serve for match point. Taylor promptly picked up three kills in the next five points, bringing her match total to 17 (a new career-best) and, more importantly, securing the victory for the Gaels. 

HAVE A NIGHT, ELLA SANDT!
Senior setter Ella Sandt put together a night to remember against the Bulldogs, with career-bests in assists and blocks. The Western Spring, Illinois native had an incredible 56 assists, 15 more than her previous career-best, while committing just one setting error. Ella also played a major role on the defensive front. Always a strong player on the back row, Sandt tallied 14 kills, but has a newfound talent for blocking, putting a career high six in the victory. 

THE TWO TOWERS
Saint Mary's middle blockers continue to shine this season, as Kjersti Strong and Kristen Erland paired up for a truly incredible match in the middle. The duo put together 28 kills on 64 swings and just four errors, and combined for 12 total blocks. This duo has stepped up all season long, and their strong play is a big reason as to why the Gaels have shown so much year-over-year improvement.

A SEASON HIGH FOR JOYCE
Makenna Joyce was heroic in her libero role tonight. The senior out of Chico put up 25 digs, one more than her season-high and just three off from her career best mark, set against Gonzaga last season. This season, Joyce is averaging 3.92 digs per set, good for fifth best in program history, and has moved her career dig per set tally to 3.22, good for 10th best in program history. 

UP NEXT
The Gaels will head south from Spokane to Portland to take on the Pilots on Saturday at 1 PM. 

DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME VOLLEYBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE.

#GaelsRise