MORAGA, Calif. — The Gaels went 4-5 over their nine game non-conference schedule, winning four of their final five. That said, wipe the slate clean, as WCC play kicks off this week, as Saint Mary's looks to build off of a fourth place finish from last year, questing for their first WCC Title since 2009. Standing in their way this week is an upstart Portland squad that's won seven of their first 10 and an always capable LMU team.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels at Portland Pilots
Thursday, September 26 at 6 PM
Chiles Center – Portland, Ore.
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Saint Mary's Gaels vs LMU Lions
Saturday, September 28 at 1 PM
UCU Pavilion – Moraga, Calif.
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HEADING INTO CONFERENCE…
Saint Mary's holds a 4-5 record through their nine game non-conference slate. After opening up 0-4, the Gaels responded by going 4-1 in their final five. During their only 0-4 stretch, the Gaels did put up big time performances against Power Four opponents Arkansas and Cal, dropping both matches in five sets. The Gaels are unbeaten when outhitting opponents and 3-1 when recording more kills. They are also unbeaten when hitting better than 0.250. The first set has been very telling for the Gaels; when they've won the opening set, they are 4-0, and when they have dropped it, they are 0-5. In non-conference play, the Gaels attack consisted of a steady diet of both Hannah Taylor and Genevieve Bane, each with 101 kills. Bane has also led the Gaels with 16 service aces. Hailee Garcia and Madi Zorn have split time at the set positions, with the former tallying 190 assists, and the latter with 143 assists. Katherine Gee wracked up an incredible 134 digs, while Tessa Schouten and Kaliko Kealoha each accounted for 25 total blocks. Most importantly, the Gaels grew together as a team, showing steady improvement, and look ready to make a run in WCC play.
ABOUT THE PILOTS
The Portland Pilots are off to their best start of the Coach Megan Burton era, winning seven of their first ten matches in 2024. The last time Portland won more than seven matches in their first 10 was Coach Burton's first year as an assistant with the Pilots in 2019. Burton, a Saint Mary's alum, will now look for at least four more wins as the Pilots begin to maneuver WCC play to surpass her season-high win total set a year ago, something she has done in each of her first three seasons. The offense has been off to a red-hot start for the Pilots, led by returning All-WCC outside hitter Maui Robbins (139 kills, 19 aces) and returning WCC All-Freshman middle blocker Taina Kaauwai (94 kills, 42 blocks). Arguably, the most impressive player for the Pilots has been redshirt freshman setter Havannah Hoeft, who leads the WCC averaging 10.21 assists per set. Portland returned both of their starting setters (Maddie Corpe and Elena Bullemer) from last year's 6-2 rotation, however, Hoeft has quickly won the starting job after sitting out a year ago, and has demonstrated a keen ability to play full rotation. The Gaels are 48-26 all-time vs Portland, having gone unbeaten against the Pilots in their last 12 meetings.
ABOUT THE LIONS
With eight wins in non-conference play, the Lions once again looked primed to be one of the top teams in the WCC. In only his second season, Head Coach Trent Kersten looks to pick up back-to-back 20 win seasons, something that hasn't been done since Head Coach Tom Black did it in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. It would be even more impressive if Coach Kersten accomplished this feat this year when you factor in that they only return two starters from last season, setter Mia Shafer and 2023 first team All-WCC libero Sam Hastings. LMU did hit the transfer portal in the off season, bringing in four new starters from other schools, so far headlined by middle blockers Jiana Lawson (53 Blocks, Formerly with San Jose State) and Kaitlyn Evans (49 Blocks, Formerly with American Univ.). This duo has helped lead LMU to a WCC best 2.65 blocks per set and 0.186 opponent hitting percentage. LMU leads the all-time series against the Gaels, 51-22, as Saint Mary's hasn't recorded a win over the Lions since the 2021 season.
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