GRAND FORKS, N.D. — A little less than 15 hours after leaving the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center celebrating their season-opening victories, the Gaels (1-1) were back at it at 11 AM local time in Grand Forks, taking on arguably their toughest opponent on the weekend, the Bowling Green Falcons (2-1). In a contest that featured an offensive onslaught from the Gaels and dazzling defense from the Falcons, the old adage of "defense wins championships" was once again proven, as the Falcons +6 digs advantage, and +9 block advantage outweighed the Gaels +10 kill advantage in the four set Falcon victory. 

Saint Mary's jumped out of the gates hot, building an early 4-2 lead, with all four kills coming from four different Gaels. Unfortunately, Bowling Green would respond with a 5-0 run of their own to take a 7-4 lead. Three straight Falcon errors would help the Gaels draw level, but Bowling Green would refind their footing and not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the set, outscoring the Gaels 18-9 down the stretch. In her first collegiate start, Miley Thunstrom led the Gaels offense with three kills, while Alayna Pearson racked up five digs defensively. 

It was all Bowling Green early in set two, as the Falcons cruised to an early 16-8 lead. Two errors by the Falcons would quickly turn a spark of hope for the Gaels into a full on blaze, as Saint Mary's would go on a 9-1 run to level things at 17 all. The race to eight was on, with both teams trading haymakers to a 21-20 scoreline in favor of Bowling Green. From that point, the Gaels ran out of gas, as the Falcons finished the set out on a 4-1 run to take a commanding 4-1 lead. After a slow first set, Genevieve Bane notched four kills in the second set comeback effort, while Gracie Vohs and Mya Allen each tallied their first three kills of 2025. Madi Zorn distributed eight second set assists, and Alayna Pearson logged a pair of key aces. 

With the Gaels down 18-10 in the third set, this one looked all but over. Not…so…fast! Saint Mary's closed out the third set on an incredible 15-4 run led by five Genevieve Bane kills and three Gracie Vohs kills to force a fourth set. On the defensive front, Anaya Thrower tallied three blocks, making life difficult for the Bowling Green attackers. 

Playing inspired volleyball, the Gaels moved ahead 10-2 in the early goings of the fourth set, and worked their way to within striking distance of forcing a fifth set, ahead 23-18. Bowling Green mounted one final last ditch effort to get out of Grand Forks in four, closing out the set on a 9-2 run to stun the Gaels in what looked like a sure set victory. Gracie Vohs put together her best set of collegiate volleyball, converting for six kills on seven swings, and also getting her hands on two blocks. Madi Zorn distributed 10 more assists in the final set, helping add to her career match. 

Genevieve Bane led all Gaels and tied for the lead amongst all players in the match with 13 kills. Gracie Vohs was not far behind her with 12 after being held without a kill yesterday. Rounding out the group of star pin hitters, Mya Allen went for nine kills in her collegiate debut. Madi Zorn either matched or surpassed her career-highs in assists (32), digs (11), kills (3) and blocks (1) in her first action as a setter in a 5-1 rotation. Alayna Pearson continued to do damage for the Gaels both in the back row and behind the service line with 18 digs and three aces, while Anaya Thrower had her hands on five of the Gaels eight blocks. The Gaels had 26 more swings than the Falcons in this one, and 10 more kills, but the dominant defense of Bowling Green was too much to overcome.

A ZORN IN THEIR SIDE
In her first start of 2025, veteran setter Madi Zorn was arguably the most impactful Gael in this match. The Spokane native tallied 31 assists, 11 digs and three kills, all new career marks, en route to her fourth career double-double. Zorn also tied her career high with one block, getting her first look at the front row in the Gaels new 5-1 rotation. 

THE STREAK CONTINUES
With 13 kills today, Genevieve Bane has now reached double digit kills in 11 straight matches dating back to last season. The last Gael to have double-digit kills in 11 straight was Jordan Shaw, who actually had 13 in a row in 2013. Shaw would finish that season with 396 kills (10th most in single season program history) and finished her career with 1087 kills (9th most in program history).

UP NEXT
The Gaels will hit the road from Grand Forks to Fargo for their final match of the weekend against North Dakota State. First serve is set for 9 AM PST. 

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