MORAGA, Calif. — Despite another solid defensive effort, Saint Mary's (2-13, 0-4 WCC) dropped three tightly contested sets against defending WCC Champs LMU (4-9, 2-2 WCC). While the Gaels put up season-high marks in nearly every statistical category, so too did the Lions, helping them to the sweep win.
The Gaels jumped out to an early 11-8 lead in set one, charged by three kills from Mya Allen and two blocks from Anaya Thrower. A 7-2 run from LMU would swing momentum the way of the Lions. LMU would hold the lead until Allen and Thrower stepped up again to level things at 20 apiece. That was it for the Gaels in set one, however, with LMU polishing off the final five points to take the opening set. Allen led the Gaels with four of their 12 kills, while Clarissa Klein had three on five swings. Thrower logged three of the Gaels four blocks in the set.
Saint Mary's played inspired volleyball out of the gates in set two. Miley Thunstrom's first career ace gave SMC their largest lead of the set at 14-6, but the Lions would respond by scoring 10 of the next 13 points to cut the deficit to one. The Gaels would re-find their footing to push ahead 19-17 before five straight Lion points would put them in the driver's seat, eventually closing out the set 25-21. Genevieve Bane and Tessa Schouten each tallied three kills in the frame, while Mya Allen was quiet offensively, but had a team-high five digs in set two. Anaya Thrower chipped two more blocks, matching her career-high with one set to go.
For the third time in as many sets, the Gaels again threw the opening punch, this time taking a 6-5 lead on a pair of Mya Allen kills, a pair of aces, and a block by Anaya Thrower. LMU responded with a 7-0 run to go ahead 12-6, but the Gaels then went on a 7-0 run of their own to get back ahead 13-12, in the mad dash to 25. Saint Mary's would extend their lead out to 15-13, but LMU would go on a 5-0 run that would give them a lead they would not relinquish en route to the 25-21 set win and the 3-0 match win. Mya Allen and Genevieve Bane each totalled three kills in the final frame, with Bane's first of the set resulting in her 1000th career kill. Ivona Lazovic and Miley Thunstrom each had four digs to lead the Gaels defensive effort in set three.
Mya Allen led the Gaels with 8 kills, while Genevieve Bane added seven, and Tessa Schouten and Miley Thunstrom each tallied six in the shared offensive effort. Ivona Lazovic led the Gaels in three different categories, with 14 assists, two aces and eight digs. Anaya Thrower logged a new career-high with six of the Gaels eight blocks, their second straight eight blocks match.
1000 KILLS FOR BANE
Genevieve Bane entered today's match with 995 career kills, and, despite swinging just 20 times with a position change to opposite, reached the 1000 kill mark with her opening score of the third set. Bane already reached the 1000 points and 100 ace mark in this season full of milestones for the redshirt senior out of Danville. She is the first Gael since Lindsey Knudsen '19 to reach 1000 kills.
MORE DEFENSIVE STRIDES
After setting season-highs in digs per set and blocks per set on Thursday night vs San Diego, the Gaels matched those exact numbers (14.3 digs/set and 2.7 blocks/set) today against LMU. Everyone got involved in the back row defensive effort, led by Ivona Lazovic with eight digs. Miley Thunstrom and Mya Allen each chipped in seven digs, while libero Alayna Pearson tallied six. The blocking charge was led by Anaya Thrower, with a career-high six blocks, including three solo blocks, also a career-mark. Unfortunately for the Gaels, LMU also put up spectacular defensive numbers, averaging 15 digs/set and 4.3 blocks/set in the win.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Saint Mary's saw highs all-around despite suffering a pair of sweep losses this week. The offense averaged 12.50 kills per set, more than a full kill over their season average, while the defensive effort led to 14.33 digs per set and 2.67 blocks per set, both well over their season averages. Both Mya Allen and Genevieve Bane went for 17 kills to lead the Saint Mary's attack. Defensively, Alayna Pearson led the way with 19 digs, while Allen added 15, and Ivona Lazovic chipped in 14. The Gaels strong blocking effort was due almost completely to Anaya Thrower, who had nine rejections in the two matches. The Gaels ran a 6-2 rotation for the entirety of the week, potentially leading to the uptick in almost all statistical categories. Ivona Lazovic had a team-high 30 assists, while Madi Zorn went for 20.
COACHES CORNER
UP NEXT
The Gaels will hit the road to Stockton next week for a Thursday night clash with the Pacific Tigers. First serve is set for 6 PM on October 9.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME VOLLEYBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.
#GaelsRise
