MORAGA, Calif. — The stage has been set for the 2025 WCC Beach Volleyball Tournament, as your Saint Mary's Gaels (19-14) enter the event as the three seed in hunt for their first ever WCC Title. The two time conference runner ups, and last year's third place finisher, the Gaels amassed an 8-2 record against conference foes this year, and have won 11 of their last 13 heading into the tournament.
The Gaels have full positive momentum heading into the tournament after completing a senior day sweep of Sacramento State and Pacific this past weekend. As has been true with all three meetings between the Gaels and Hornets this season, the Sacramento State matchup was decided by a narrow 3-2 scoreline. The threes (Angelina Bour/Nya Crump) and fours (Genevieve Bane/Grace Travis) took care of business to give the Gaels a commanding 2-0 lead. Chloe Swanson and Clarissa Klein took the two flight to three sets, but ultimately fell in that one, before Allie Cataldo and Hannah Couch clinched the win for the Gaels at the ones. In the regular season finale, the Gaels swept NorCal conference rival Pacific for the second time in as many meetings. The Gaels debuted a new pair in this one, as Sedona Sherman and Delaney Nicholls paired for a win at the fours.
The WCC Tournament is a double elimination format tournament spanning two days. The Gaels will open up on Thursday, April 24 at 10:15 AM with a matchup against sixth seeded Portland (4-15). The Gaels have defeated the Pilots twice this year, both by 4-1 scorelines. Portland has dropped seven straight since their last win on April 5 vs Bushnell. A win against Portland will move the Gaels to the winner's bracket, where they will take on the winner of Pepperdine (17-13) and Pacific (1-20) at 3:15 PM, while a loss will see them take on the losing side of the Waves-Tigers matchup in the elimination bracket 2 PM. If the Gaels play in the elimination bracket on day one, and win, they will have a third match at 4:30 PM, against the loser of Santa Clara (14-16) and San Francisco (9-21). Day two of the tournament will feature five more matches, culminating with the conference title at 1:30 PM. All matches on Friday will be streamed on ESPN+, with the exception of the championship matchup, which will be live on ESPNU. Follow along all tournament long here.
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