MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's (9-15, 5-10 WCC) came into every set tonight energized and ready to go toe-to-toe with WCC volleyball powerhouse Pepperdine (15-10, 12-2 WCC). The Gaels would take early leads in all three sets, however, the Waves were able to curtail the Gaels momentum with each and every run, eventually winning the match in straight sets.
Genevieve Bane stayed on fire for the Gaels, recording her third consecutive double-double, but despite her best efforts, it was the Waves who finished on top.
The Gaels won the opening race to ten, using a combination of five kills, three blocks and an ace to build an early 10-8 lead. Pepperdine would regain the lead via a 4-0 run, featuring three service aces, and eventually would ride momentum to set point at 24-16. Unfazed by the big deficit, Saint Mary's rattled off eight straight on the back of a Madi Zorn service run to level things at 24 apiece. The Gaels would stave off one set point, leveling things against at 25 all on a block combo from Gracie Vohs and Tessa Schouten, but Pepperdine would eventually close things out at 27-25. Defense was the name of the game in set one, with neither team hitting better than 0.022. On that front for the Gaels, Natalie Peete recorded nine set one digs, while Tessa Schouten was involved in three of the Gaels five blocks.
The tight matchup continued into the second set, when both teams played to a 16 all stalemate to open things up. The Waves would take five of the next six points however, to gain separation from the Gaels, and while Saint Mary's would get to 20, Pepperdine would ultimately win the battle to 25 to take a two set to none lead. Genevieve Bane was the focal point of the Gaels attack in set two, as she has been for a majority of the season, and managed to turn nine swings into five kills with no errors for an impressive 0.556 clip in the second stanza. That helped the Gaels hit a match high 0.243 in the second set, but Pepperdine countered by hitting 0.302 to take their 2-0 lead.
In the decisive third set, the Gaels built a 13-11 lead, but Pepperdine would battle back to knot things up at 14 all. With Saint Mary's fleeting, the Waves would close out the match on an 11-5 run to secure the sweep victory. Genevieve Bane added five more kills in the final set as well as five digs to secure her third straight double-double, while Tessa Schouten had three kills on three swings.
Genevieve Bane was the only Gael to reach double-digit kills, with 12, while also being one of two Gaels to reach double-digit digs, securing another double-double to her tally this season. Hailee Garcia led the way with 15 assists, while Madi Zorn chipped in 11. Zorn, Garcia and Kaliko Kealoha each had a pair of aces, accounting for six of Saint Mary's seven (the seventh belonged to Bane), while Natalie Peete went for 15 digs, leading the team and joining Bane in double figures. Saint Mary's recorded nine blocks in the three set match, with Tessa Schouten getting her hands on a team-high three.
MILESTONES FOR GARCIA
Junior setter Hailee Garcia reached a pair of milestones tonight. Not only did the third year Gael record her 1000th assist, but she also, with a kill and two aces, reached 100 points for her SMC career. She now becomes the fifth consecutive setter brought in by Head Coach Rob Browning to accomplish this feat, joining the likes of Ella Sandt '24, Alosina Thompson '22, Alexsa "Crash" Parker '20 and Mary Hernandez '18.
THE STREAKS CONTINUE FOR BANE, PEETE
The East Bay duo of Genevieve Bane and Natalie Peete both have kept impressive "double-digit" streaks alive following tonight's match. Bane not only recorded her third straight double-double (seventh of the season), but also made it six straight contests with double-digit kills, continuing to build on what's been a career-long stretch for her. Redshirt freshman Natalie Peete ran her double-digit dig streak to eight in a row, continuing to demonstrate her growth in the libero position.
UP NEXT
The Gaels will not have to travel too far for their next match, heading to Santa Clara on Saturday, November 23. First serve is set for 1 PM.
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