MORAGA, Calif. — Volleyball returned to UCU Pavilion this evening, as the Gaels returned home from their four match roadtrip to face off with San Jose State. Saint Mary's showed grit and determination in all four sets tonight, but ultimately fell to San Jose State 3-1 (22-25, 19-25, 30-28, 19-25). The loss marks the first Saint Mary's home loss since the Gaels fell to Santa Clara in the 2022 season finale.
DOING IT ALL
Ella Sandt did everything but stand on her head in trying to help the Gaels to victory tonight. The senior setter was terrific as always in her standard role, racking up 35 assists, one short of her season best mark of 36, which came in a five set contest against Weber State. Sandt was also strong at the serving line and on the back row, as she was one of four Gaels to notch a service ace, and tallied a team-high 14 digs for her third consecutive double-double. Uncharacteristically, however, was Sandt's ability to score for the Gaels, as she came up with career-high marks in the kill and block categories. The Gaels have leaned on Sandt's leadership on and off the court heavily as one just two four year seniors on the squad, and tonight, she demonstrated exactly why.
FEARSOME AT THE NET
Despite taking the L tonight, the Gaels once again demonstrated their frontline dominance, out-blocking the Spartans 15-8. A big reason why they reached that heft number was Kristen Erland, as the junior middle blocker tallied a season-high 10 total blocks this evening. Not only did Erland smash her previous season-high of six total blocks, but she also passed teammate Kjersti Strong, who held the previous single-game high in blocks for 2023 with nine.
BANE HEATS UP
For the first time this season and just the fourth time in her career, Genevieve Bane has recorded double digit kills in back-to-back contests. Coming off of a 14 kill performance against Air Force, Bane tallied 11 to lead the Gaels tonight. Heading into the Gaels contest against Cal Poly on Friday, Bane will look to tie her career mark with three consecutive double-digit kill contests. She now joins Kjersti Strong as the only two Gaels with triple digit kills so far this season.
FEIGNING OFF THE SWEEP
The Gaels took set three of this match in heroic fashion to avoid being swept on their home floor. Down 22-19, Saint Mary's rattled off three consecutive points, including a Genevieve Bane kill and an Ella Sandt ace to knot things up. Both teams went back and forth with the Gaels four times picking up side outs on match point opportunities for the Spartans. Again, it was the Saint Mary's blocking front that led the charge, as they received massive blocks from Hannah Taylor, Kristen Erland, Kjersti Strong and Genevieve Bane to recapture momentum. Ahead 29-28, the Gaels were able to force a tough angled swing from the Spartans that ended up in the net to give Saint MAry's the marathon set three victory.
AMONG OTHER NUMBER
Just behind Genevieve Bane's team high 11 kills were Clarissa Klein's 10. The 10 kills tie Clarissa's previous career-best mark. Klein also set a career-high with six digs on the evening. Genevieve Bane came up with a season-high five blocks, one off of her career-best mark of six. The Gaels 15 blocks was their second best mark of 2023, and their best blocking mark in a losing effort.
UP NEXT
The Gaels will close out non-conference play at the Mustang Invitational this weekend. Their first matchup of the tournament will be against host Cal Poly. First serve is set for 6 PM in San Luis Obispo.
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