OGDEN, Utah — Saint Mary's Volleyball will open their season this weekend as they head to Ogden, Utah for the Wildcat Invitational, hosted by Weber State University. The Gaels will match up with three opponents, Manhattan College, Utah Tech and host Weber State, in the season-opening tournament in what should be a strong early test for this veteran squad.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs Manhattan College Jaspers
Friday, August 25 at 9:00 AM
Swenson Gym – Ogden, Utah
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Saint Mary's Gaels vs Utah Tech Trailblazers
Friday, August 25 at 4:00 PM
Swenson Gym – Ogden, Utah
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Saint Mary's Gaels at Weber State Wildcats
Saturday, August 26 at 2:30 PM
Swenson Gym – Ogden, Utah
Watch | Live Stats
2022 IN REVIEW
The Gaels are coming off of a 9-17 campaign in which their team showed great growth throughout the season. The Gaels shook off a slow start to the season to rattle off three straight victories over Penn, CSUN and UC Davis in the early going. Conference play opened with another three game winning streak, as the Otters began their WCC slate with wins over Portland, Gonzaga and USF. The season ended on a high note for the Gaels, as they took two of their final three matches, completing the season series sweeps over Portland and Gonzaga.
Two Gaels were named to the All-WCC team, as Hawley Harrer and Kjertsi Strong were both named second-team honorees. Harrer led the Gaels with 304 kills to go along with 55 blocks. Strong finished third on the team with 195 kills and a team-high 85 blocks.
THE 2023 GAELS
The Gaels return a hefty chunk of their 2022 squad, including a group of five returning starters. Senior Makenna Joyce looks to don the libero jersey for a second consecutive season, while senior Ella Sandt will return as the team's primary setter. On the outside, the Gaels will have to replace their kills leader Hawley Harrer, but return sophomore Genevieve Bane, who tallied 223 kills a season ago. The middle blockers should be the strongest returning group for Coach Rob Browning, as he returns starters Kjersti Strong and Kristen Erland, who combined for 152 blocks last year. Also back from the Gaels 2022 roster are Kate Blackwell, Madi Zorn, Hannah Glick, Clarissa Klein, Hailee Garcia and Abby Castillon.
Coach Browning brought in three freshmen and one transfer for the 2023 season, who will all look to make an impact for the Gaels early in their careers. Hannah Taylor comes to St Mary's from Feather River College, where she is coming off of a CCCAA Championship winning season. A 6-1 right side hitter, Taylor tallied 400 kills and 99 blocks, leading the Golden Eagles to a 36-1 record. Hailing from San Ramon, Natalie Peete joins the Gaels from California High School, where she earned All-EBAL honors in each of her years of competition. The 5-6 libero tallied over 1200 digs and 130 aces in her prep career. A 5-7 outside hitter from Paso Robles, Olivia Wright looks to add depth for the Gaels on the outside. Wright was a four time All-League honoree during her Paso Robles career. Rounding out the group of newcomers is middle blocker Serena Sawyer. The 6-0 middle blocker out of Pacific Palisades is coming off of an impressive season at Brentwood School, where she tallied 200 kills and 133 digs.
ABOUT THE JASPERS
The Jaspers of Manhattan College are coming off of a 1-28 campaign under the then first-year direction of Head Coach Mauro Miletic. Back for year two, Coach Miletic returns five of last year's starters, headlined by returning assist leader Julieanne McKee (326) and returning digs leader Teresa Garza (198). The Jaspers also brought in eight newcomers for the 2023 season, including three transfers. This matchup will mark the first ever meeting between the Gaels and Jaspers.
ABOUT THE TRAILBLAZERS
The Utah Tech Trailblazers serve as the Gaels second opponent in the Wildcat Invitational. The Trailblazers are coming off of an 11-12 season in 2022, marking their highest win total since joining the NCAA Division I in 2020-21. Head Coach Camilla Hafoka will enter year three at the helm with a matchup against Wildcat Invitational host Weber State before taking on the Gaels in their evening matchup. Utah Tech returns three starters, including a pair of 2022 All-WAC selectees in the forms of setter Taela Laufiso and middle blocker Kate Hardy. Coach Hafoka had a busy offseason recruiting, bringing in 10 new Trailblazers for the 2023 campaign. This matchup will mark the first ever meeting between the Gaels and the Trailblazers.
ABOUT THE WILDCATS
Tournament host Weber State will be the final opponent that the Gaels will face in the 2023 Wildcat Invitational. The Wildcats are coming off of their fifth consecutive winnings season, going 17-12 and 11-5, good for second place in the Big Sky Conference. Head Coach Jeremiah Larsen returns for his ninth season at the helm for the Wildcats, and returns all but one starter from a season ago. The team should be led by returning first team All-Big Sky honoree Dani Richins, who led her squad with 348 kills and 35 service aces. With their high number of returners, the Wildcats brought in a smaller recruiting class of just five. This matchup will be the second ever meeting between the Gaels and the Wildcats, with the Gaels leading the all-time series 1-0.
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