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Saint Mary's College Athletics Gaels
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Doug Peete

Women's Volleyball

VB | Gaels to Play Three Contests Over Busy Labor Day Weekend

MORAGA, Calif. — After a perfect 3-0 start in Ogden, Utah, Saint Mary's will return to their home hardwood inside University Credit Union Pavilion for a pair of contests against Southern Utah (Sep. 1) and Portland State (Sep. 2). They will then finish out their Labor Day weekend on the road for a Monday evening tilt at Sacramento State (Sep. 4). 

THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Friday, September 1 at 7:00 PM
UCU Pavilion – Moraga, Calif.
Watch | Live Stats 

Saint Mary's Gaels vs Portland State Vikings
Saturday, September 2 at 2:00 PM
UCU Pavilion – Moraga, Calif.
Watch | Live Stats

Saint Mary's Gaels at Sacramento State Hornets
Monday, September 4 at 5:00 PM
The Nest – Sacramento, Calif.
Watch | Live Stats

A DREAM START
The Gaels opened up play in 2023 with three straight victories at the Wildcat Invitational. After a convincing 3-0 sweep against Manhattan College, the Gaels defeated Utah Tech in four sets, forcing a "battle of the unbeatens" against host Weber State on Saturday afternoon. In hostile territory, the Gaels would not be denied, going the distance against the Wildcats, before taking the decisive fifth set 15-9. Standout performances on opening weekend included 40 kills from Kjersti Strong and a 0.650 hitting percentage from Kristen Erland. 

TOP HONORS
After leading the Gaels in kills in each of the first three matches, Kjersti Strong was honored as the WCC Offensive Player of the Week. Strong tallied 40 kills and hit at a 0.405 clip for the weekend, while also tallying 4 service aces and 13 total blocks. Through one week of the season, Strong ranks third in the WCC in kills/set (3.33), second in hitting percentage (0.405) and third in points/set (4.25). 

ABOUT THE THUNDERBIRDS
Southern Utah makes its way to Moraga following a 2-1 start at the Roadrunner Classic in Bakersfield. Last season, the Thunderbirds went 7-17 and finished in eighth place in the WAC. The team is led by third year Head Coach Kacey Nady, who has amassed a record of 15-40 in her time at SUU. On the young season, the team has been led statistically by grad transfer Andrea Spasojevic. The former Louisiana Tech Bulldog leads the Thunderbirds with 33 kills, 7 aces and 36 digs. Southern Utah will take on Portland State at noon on Sep. 1 before taking on the Gaels at 7 PM that same evening. This marks the fifth all-time meeting between the Gaels and Thunderbirds, with the Gaels leading the all-time series 3-1. 

ABOUT THE VIKINGS
After hosting the season opening Rose City Showdown, Portland State sits at 2-1 on the young campaign. A season ago, the Vikings put together a very solid 18-13 season, including a second place finish in the Big Sky Conference. 17th year Head Coach Michael Seemann has led the Portland State program into prominence, winning six Big Sky titles in that time. Returning second-team All-Big Sky outside hitter Sophia Meyers has had the hot hand for the Vikings to start the season. The 6-0 junior leads Portland State with 31 kills and 8 service aces, to go along with 32 digs over her first three matches. Prior to taking on the Gaels, the Vikings will take on both Southern Utah and Cal on Friday Sep. 1. This marks the third all-time meeting between the Gaels and Vikings, with the series tied up at a game apiece. 

ABOUT THE HORNETS
Rounding out the holiday weekend for the Gaels will be the Sacramento State Hornets. Like the Vikings, the Hornets are coming off of hosting their own tournament this past weekend, going 2-1 in the Sacramento State Invitational. Coming off of a 15-15 season and a fourth place finish in the Big Sky, Sacramento State looks to build off of last season's success under 16th year Head Coach Ruben Volta. Fifth-year senior libero Caty Cordano has dazzled defensively in the early going, while also leading her team in service aces. This upcoming weekend, Sacramento State will host another tournament, the Hornet Invitational, taking on Cal State Fullerton, San Jose State and Portland before meeting the Gaels on Monday night. The Hornets and Gaels are no strangers to one another, as this will be their 35th all-time meeting, with Sac State leading the all-time series 25-9. 

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Players Mentioned

Kristen Erland

#5 Kristen Erland

MB
6' 3"
Junior
Kjersti Strong

#21 Kjersti Strong

MB
6' 4"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Kristen Erland

#5 Kristen Erland

6' 3"
Junior
MB
Kjersti Strong

#21 Kjersti Strong

6' 4"
Senior
MB