MORAGA, Calif. — For already the third time this season, the Gaels (12-11) will do battle with the San Jose State Spartans in their penultimate home match of the season. The Gaels and Spartans have split a pair of 3-2 decisions this year, with the Gaels defeating SJSU at the Stanford hosted Battle of the Bay on March 1 and the Spartans returning the favor on their home court at the Sand Jose Invitational. This third matchup will decide the way that the season series goes for these two squads. 

The Gaels are coming off of a third place finish at the WCC Challenge Midseason Tournament. Saint Mary's was swept by tournament champion LMU and tournament runner up Pepperdine, but battled through pouring rain to knock off San Francisco and Santa Clara to take third in the seven team conference event. The Gaels top pairing of Hawley Harrer and Hannah Couch, and the five pairing of Paola Peralta and Chloe Swanson, each picked up a pair of wins at the event. 

San Jose State holds a record of 9-10 on the season. Former Gaels Beach Volleyball Head Coach Gary Hodge is in his second season leading the Spartans, after spending four seasons at the helm of the Saint Mary's program. He sits at 72 career wins between his time with the Gaels and the Spartans. The Spartans two pairing of Teila Allen and Cheyenne Rice has been their strongest on the year, going 11-8 overall and 10-7 when playing in the second flight. Against the Gaels this season, only the one pairing of Jaida Ward and Jada Hall have gone unbeaten, however, their two wins came against Sedona Sherman and Sadie Shipman. This third matchup will likely feature Harrer/Couch to matchup with Ward/Hall at the ones. 

First serve is set for 3 PM at Shaw and Knudsen Courts!

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