Thursday, November 13
San Francisco, CA
6:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
at
San Francisco
Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
VB | Gaels Stay in the Bay, Go to San Francisco and Host Gonzaga
11/11/2025 2:22:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MORAGA, Calif. — While last week's record for Saint Mary's (8-15, 6-6 WCC) will show as 0-2, there were plenty of positives to take away, as the Gaels took both third place Oregon State and first place San Diego to five sets. The Gaels have now taken 8 of their last 10 matches to five sets, going 6-2 in those instances, but will hope to take care of business in quicker fashion this week against San Francisco (3-20, 1-12 WCC) and Gonzaga (13-10, 6-6 WCC).
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels at San Francisco Dons
War Memorial at the Sobrato Center – San Francisco, Calif.
Thursday, November 13 at 6 PM
WATCH | LIVE STATS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs
UCU Pavilion – Moraga, Calif.
Saturday, November 15 at 2 PM
WATCH | LIVE STATS | TICKETS
TANGIBLE GROWTH
The Gaels have now played four WCC opponents twice over, and have shown major positive strides in each of those four encore matches. The first of these came against Portland on 10-25. The Gaels fell to the Pilots in the five at the Chiles Center on 9-27, but flipped the script for a five set win at home less than a month later. Against Seattle U, the Gaels needed five sets to defeat the Redhawks at home on 10-23, but needed just four to down them at the Redhawks Center nine days later. The Gaels opened conference play falling in four in Corvallis to the Oregon State Beavers, but forced the Beavers to bonus volleyball in the fifth before dropping the narrow fifth 20-18. Most recently, the Gaels, who were swept by San Diego in their home opener on 10-2, forced five against the Toreros in San Diego, and even became the first team to serve for match point in the WCC this season against USD, doing so in the fourth set that they ultimately dropped 27-25, before falling in the fifth. This young Gaels squad has shown tremendous growth, and down the home stretch will look to grab a few more victories with encore performances against Gonzaga, Pacific and LMU, as well as first time matchups against San Francisco, Washington State and Pepperdine.
COACHES CORNER
ABOUT THE DONS
It's been tough sledding for the San Francisco Dons, who have not won a match in over a month, bringing their record to 3-20 overall, and 1-12 in WCC play. Fifth year Head Coach Diogo Silva, looks to find a way to have his team end their season on a high, after enjoying his first winning season at the helm just a year ago. From that team a year ago, Coach Silva was only able to retain one starter, Astrid Puig, who leads this year's squad with 214 kills. The brightest spot of this year's team has been the blocking front, led by returner Shannon Knight, who, after seeing little action last year, has emerged as the Dons top blocker with 51 total stuffs, including five in each of her last three matches. That has helped USF to rank fourth in the WCC averaging 2.30 blocks per set. The Gaels have won 50 of their all-time 79 meetings against the Dons, including 15 of their last 18.
ABOUT THE BULLDOGS
The Gaels and Gonzaga Bulldogs find themselves tied for sixth place in the WCC, with the Gaels having defeated the Bulldogs in Spokane earlier this year. Gonzaga holds a 13-10 overall record, and sits with the same 6-6 WCC record that Saint Mary's holds. They will see Washington State at home on Wednesday before taking on the Gaels on Saturday. Five matches have passed since the last time Gonzaga and Saint Mary's last squared off, with both teams going 3-2 in that time. The Gaels defeated Gonzaga in four in Spokane earlier this year, with the Bulldogs leaning heavily on standout outside hitter Sjakkie Donkers, who finished with 11 kills, 10 digs and six blocks. It wasn't enough, however, to slow down the red-hot Gaels attack, led by a 24 kill, 3 ace effort from Mya Allen. The Gaels lead the all-time series over Gonzaga 46-31, and have not fallen to the, since 2021.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME VOLLEYBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.
#GaelsRise
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels at San Francisco Dons
War Memorial at the Sobrato Center – San Francisco, Calif.
Thursday, November 13 at 6 PM
WATCH | LIVE STATS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs
UCU Pavilion – Moraga, Calif.
Saturday, November 15 at 2 PM
WATCH | LIVE STATS | TICKETS
TANGIBLE GROWTH
The Gaels have now played four WCC opponents twice over, and have shown major positive strides in each of those four encore matches. The first of these came against Portland on 10-25. The Gaels fell to the Pilots in the five at the Chiles Center on 9-27, but flipped the script for a five set win at home less than a month later. Against Seattle U, the Gaels needed five sets to defeat the Redhawks at home on 10-23, but needed just four to down them at the Redhawks Center nine days later. The Gaels opened conference play falling in four in Corvallis to the Oregon State Beavers, but forced the Beavers to bonus volleyball in the fifth before dropping the narrow fifth 20-18. Most recently, the Gaels, who were swept by San Diego in their home opener on 10-2, forced five against the Toreros in San Diego, and even became the first team to serve for match point in the WCC this season against USD, doing so in the fourth set that they ultimately dropped 27-25, before falling in the fifth. This young Gaels squad has shown tremendous growth, and down the home stretch will look to grab a few more victories with encore performances against Gonzaga, Pacific and LMU, as well as first time matchups against San Francisco, Washington State and Pepperdine.
COACHES CORNER
ABOUT THE DONS
It's been tough sledding for the San Francisco Dons, who have not won a match in over a month, bringing their record to 3-20 overall, and 1-12 in WCC play. Fifth year Head Coach Diogo Silva, looks to find a way to have his team end their season on a high, after enjoying his first winning season at the helm just a year ago. From that team a year ago, Coach Silva was only able to retain one starter, Astrid Puig, who leads this year's squad with 214 kills. The brightest spot of this year's team has been the blocking front, led by returner Shannon Knight, who, after seeing little action last year, has emerged as the Dons top blocker with 51 total stuffs, including five in each of her last three matches. That has helped USF to rank fourth in the WCC averaging 2.30 blocks per set. The Gaels have won 50 of their all-time 79 meetings against the Dons, including 15 of their last 18.
ABOUT THE BULLDOGS
The Gaels and Gonzaga Bulldogs find themselves tied for sixth place in the WCC, with the Gaels having defeated the Bulldogs in Spokane earlier this year. Gonzaga holds a 13-10 overall record, and sits with the same 6-6 WCC record that Saint Mary's holds. They will see Washington State at home on Wednesday before taking on the Gaels on Saturday. Five matches have passed since the last time Gonzaga and Saint Mary's last squared off, with both teams going 3-2 in that time. The Gaels defeated Gonzaga in four in Spokane earlier this year, with the Bulldogs leaning heavily on standout outside hitter Sjakkie Donkers, who finished with 11 kills, 10 digs and six blocks. It wasn't enough, however, to slow down the red-hot Gaels attack, led by a 24 kill, 3 ace effort from Mya Allen. The Gaels lead the all-time series over Gonzaga 46-31, and have not fallen to the, since 2021.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME VOLLEYBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.
#GaelsRise
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