MORAGA, Calif. — After a 6-6 start to the season against non-conference foes, the Gaels are geared up for their West Coast Conference slate, as they head south for dates with LMU (9/21) and San Diego (9/23). The Gaels have 10 winning conference seasons, including eight under Coach Browning, and will look to make it 11 as they meander through their WCC foes.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels at LMU Lions
Thursday, September 21 at 7:00 PM
Gersten Pavilion - Los Angeles, Calif.
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Saint Mary's Gaels at San Diego Toreros
Saturday, September 23 at 12:00 PM
Jenny Craig Pavilion - San Diego, Calif.
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STRONG AT THE NET
Saint Mary's currently is tied for number one in the nation in total blocks (134.5) and number 16 in the country in blocks per set (2.74). That charge has been led by Kjersti Strong, who ranks fourth in the country with 67 total blocks and 27th in the country averaging 1.37 blocks per set.
WCC, HERE WE COME!
Heading into conference play, the Gaels currently sit at 6-6 (.500), tied for the fourth best record in the conference with San Francisco. Ahead of Saint Mary's are LMU (7-3), Pacific (8-4) and Santa Clara (8-4). The Gaels will open up conference play Thursday evening on the road against the red-hot LMU Lions.
ABOUT THE LIONS
The LMU Lions have opened up the 2023 campaign impressively, winning seven of their first 10 matches, including their last five in a row.The Lions are coming off of a strong 2022 season that saw them earn an NCAA Tournament berth. Second year Head Coach Trent Kersten seems to have his group primed and ready for another trip to Nationals in 2023. Leading the charge for the Lions on the young season is two-time All-WCC honoree Jacquelyn Moore, who's hitting at 0.510 with a team-high 87 kills and 41 blocks. This matchup marks the 72nd meeting between the two programs, with LMU leading the series 49-22.
ABOUT THE TOREROS
San Diego enters WCC play after a difficult stretch of strong non-conference opponents. The Toreros are 4-6, with half of their losses coming at the hands of nationally ranked programs. Defending WCC and AVCA National Coach of the Year Jennifer Petrie enters her 25th season at the helm, and looks to pull her Toreros back above 0.500 early into conference play. After graduating more than half of their starters from a year ago, San Diego has relied heavily on Georgia transfer Amber Stivrins. The outside hitter leads the Toreros with 125 kills and 14 service aces. This meeting will be the 75th all-time between the Gaels and Toreros, with San Diego leading the series 60-14.
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