Saturday, October 18
Spokane, WA
12:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
at
Gonzaga
Anaya Thrower (Middle) has recorded 12 blocks over her last two matches
Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
VB | Gaels Head to Spokane in Search of Third Straight Victory
10/14/2025 2:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's Volleyball is riding high. Coming off of their first unbeaten weekend, the Gaels feel like they have captured some momentum, and are looking to keep it rolling and start to climb the WCC standings. Standing in the way of their third straight win is a road meeting with Gonzaga, the Gaels longest trip of the conference season. That said, the Gaels are no strangers to long travel with trips to North Dakota, Texas and Oklahoma in the non-conference slate.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels at Gonzaga Bulldogs
Saturday, October 18 at 12 PM
Charlotte Y. Martin Centre – Spokane, Wash.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
BLOCK TO WIN
Saint Mary's put up two of their best blocking performances last week in wins over Pacific and Santa Clara. The Gaels, who had not recorded more than eight blocks in a match heading into the week, recorded 12 each against the Tigers and Broncos, as strong play at the net helped decide both of these matches. Middle blocker Anaya Thrower led the charge on this front. The redshirt freshman out of Vacaville set a career-high with seven roofs in Stockton against Pacific, and followed that up with five more rejections against Santa Clara. Thrower now leads the Gaels averaging 0.95 blocks per set. Redshirt senior Genevieve Bane also got in on the fun, with four against Pacific, followed by a career-high seven vs. Santa Clara. Bane's previous high of six blocks was set all the way back in her freshman campaign.
COACHES CORNER
ABOUT THE BULLDOGS
Like the Gaels, Gonzaga opened the 2025 campaign with a new coaching regime, as JT Wenger made the move to Spokane after eight successful seasons at UT Arlington. Clearly, what Coach Wenger has brought to Gonzaga has been working, as after winning just one match all of last season, the Bulldogs have opened up the year 9-7, including their first two conference wins since 2022. Coach Wenger has built this success with a combination of Bulldog vets and newcomers, with five returning starters from last year, paired with a bevy of newcomers. The strongest newcomer of the bunch thus far has been Sjakke Donkers, who joined Coach Wenger in the move from Arlington to Spokane. The defending WAC Freshman of the Year, Donkers currently leads the WCC in kills per set and points per set. The Bulldogs will take on LMU at home on Thursday before getting their shot at the Gaels on Saturday. The Gaels lead the all-time series against Gonzaga 45-31, and are winners of each of the last seven matchups.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME VOLLEYBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.
#GaelsRise
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels at Gonzaga Bulldogs
Saturday, October 18 at 12 PM
Charlotte Y. Martin Centre – Spokane, Wash.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
BLOCK TO WIN
Saint Mary's put up two of their best blocking performances last week in wins over Pacific and Santa Clara. The Gaels, who had not recorded more than eight blocks in a match heading into the week, recorded 12 each against the Tigers and Broncos, as strong play at the net helped decide both of these matches. Middle blocker Anaya Thrower led the charge on this front. The redshirt freshman out of Vacaville set a career-high with seven roofs in Stockton against Pacific, and followed that up with five more rejections against Santa Clara. Thrower now leads the Gaels averaging 0.95 blocks per set. Redshirt senior Genevieve Bane also got in on the fun, with four against Pacific, followed by a career-high seven vs. Santa Clara. Bane's previous high of six blocks was set all the way back in her freshman campaign.
COACHES CORNER
ABOUT THE BULLDOGS
Like the Gaels, Gonzaga opened the 2025 campaign with a new coaching regime, as JT Wenger made the move to Spokane after eight successful seasons at UT Arlington. Clearly, what Coach Wenger has brought to Gonzaga has been working, as after winning just one match all of last season, the Bulldogs have opened up the year 9-7, including their first two conference wins since 2022. Coach Wenger has built this success with a combination of Bulldog vets and newcomers, with five returning starters from last year, paired with a bevy of newcomers. The strongest newcomer of the bunch thus far has been Sjakke Donkers, who joined Coach Wenger in the move from Arlington to Spokane. The defending WAC Freshman of the Year, Donkers currently leads the WCC in kills per set and points per set. The Bulldogs will take on LMU at home on Thursday before getting their shot at the Gaels on Saturday. The Gaels lead the all-time series against Gonzaga 45-31, and are winners of each of the last seven matchups.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME VOLLEYBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballVB | Tyler Hildebrand Presser, 10-13-25
Monday, October 13
VB | Highlights vs. Santa Clara, 10-11-25
Saturday, October 11
VB | Tyler Hildebrand Presser Post Santa Clara, 10-11-25
Saturday, October 11
VB | Highlights at Pacific, 10-9-25
Thursday, October 09
