SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — In the gold bracket of the 2025 West Coast Challenge, the Saint Mary's Gaels (11-12) fell to perennial WCC Favorite #3 LMU (24-2) before defeating San Francisco (7-17) for the second time this season to secure third place overall in the tournament. Since the inception of this tournament in 2019, the Gaels have never finished outside of the top three. 

The day started with a 5-0 sweep of the Gaels at the hands of third ranked LMU. Nya Crump and Angelina Bour put up the best fight of any Gael pair against the Lions, forcing a third set with a 21-14 set two victory, but it was ultimately for not, as they fell 15-9 in the decisive third. LMU continues to dominate just about every foe in their path, as they went on to win the tournament with a 4-1 victory over Pepperdine in the title match, moving to 24-2 for the year. 

The third place matchup between the Gaels and Dons of San Francisco was an exciting one that came down to the final point. The one pairing of Allie Cataldo and Hannah Couch and the three pairing of Nya Crump and Angelina Bour both picked up sweep victories to give the Gaels an early 2-0 lead, but the Dons responded with a pair of thrilling three setters in the two and four spots. That left things up to the five pairing of Sedona Sherman and Renee Nachtigall, playing together for the first time in their careers. Sherman and Nachtigall made quick work in set one with a 21-16 victory. They had numerous chances to close things out in the second set, but were ultimately outlasted by the Dons in a marathon set 32-30. Not to fret, the Gaels polished off the victory with a 15-10 set three win to earn the match W. 

A few milestones were met in today's contest. Head Coach Janice Harrer picked up her 45th win at the helm. Junior Hannah Couch picked up her 50th win, making her just the 11th player in program history to win 50 or more matches. She is now just three wins away from cracking the top-10 for wins in program history. Her 24 wins in the #1 position ties her for fifth most in program history with Sarah Chase. Along with her teammate Allie Cataldo, the duo moved to tie a for 10th in program history in wins by a pair at Saint Mary's, with 19 all at the one spot. The 19 wins at the one spot ties them for third with Dalas Dodd and Lindsey Knudsen. 

The Gaels will head through the Caldecott Tunnel next week to take on Cal and San Jose State. 

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