SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Saint Mary's (9-16, 5-11 WCC) could not complete the season series sweep over Santa Clara (10-16, 6-11 WCC) for the second consecutive season, as the Broncos avenged their loss to the Gaels from three weeks ago, sweeping them in front of their home fans. While it was the Gaels defense that shined in Moraga in their last meeting, today, Santa Clara's defense put together one of their best matches of the season, as the steadfast SMC attack was stymied throughout the match.
Saint Mary's took an early 2-1 lead in the first set, but a 4-0 Santa Clara run would push them ahead, and see them through all the way to a 25-18 victory. Following that early Broncos run, the Gaels never got closer than within two points of the Santa Clara lead. The Gaels hit 0.250 in the set, due in big part to a five kill on seven swing frame from Hannah Taylor, who also was in on the Gaels only block of the set. Abby Castillon chipped in three kills and a team-high four digs in the opening stanza.
Set two was the tightest of the three set match, with the Gaels leading as late as 22-21 following a 3-0 run. The Broncos responded with their own 3-0 run to regain the lead and force set point. Saint Mary's would sideout once to bring the score to 24-23, but Santa Clara would respond with a sideout of their own to take a commanding 2-0 lead. Genevieve Bane was the biggest contributor for the Gaels in set two with four kills, three digs and an ace, while Hannah Taylor remained errorless with two more kills on four swings.
The Broncos made quick work of the Gaels in set three, opening the set on a 5-1 run and leading wire-to-wire, winning it 25-16. Genevieve Bane was the only Gaels who could get anything going in the final frame, with four kills, hitting at 0.300, while the rest of the team combined hit -0.107 for the set.
Genevieve Bane was the only Gael to reach double-figures, with 11 of Saint Mary's 34 kills. Bane also tied for the team lead with eight digs, and accounted for one of the Gaels four aces. Hannah Taylor had an errorless performance with eight kills on 15 swings for a 0.533 clip. Hailee Garcia had a team-high 14 assists, while tying Bane for the team lead with eight digs, while Madi Zorn tallied 12 assists and a team best two aces. Tessa Schouten once again led the blocking charge, getting her hands on three of Saint Mary's four roofs.
BEST YEAR FOR BANE
Redshirt junior Genevieve Bane continues to have her best season as a Gael. With her first kill today, she reached 300 for the season, making her the third Gael to reach this mark in as many years (Kjertsti Strong in 2023, Hawley Harrer in 2022). She also has run her double-digit kill streak to seven matches in a row, now the longest streak since Lindsey Calvin had eight in a row back in 2018. Bane has also set career-highs for assists (18) and digs (186) in a season.
ERRORLESS FOR TAYLOR
Hannah Taylor logged her first errorless effort of the season, and her fourth of the season. She went for eight kills on 15 swings and no errors, good for a 0.533 clip. It was the second time this season and the fifth time for her career that she's hit 0.500 or better in a single match.
UP NEXT
The Gaels will host Portland on Wednesday, November 27. First serve is set for 1 PM. As it will be the final home match of the season, it will also be senior day, as the Gaels graduating senior will be honored.
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