Photo by: SMC Athletics / Emily Smith
VB | Excitement Aplenty as Gaels Return to Campus and Open Up Practice Ahead of 2025 Campaign
8/7/2025 12:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MORAGA, Calif. — There is quite the buzz around the Saint Mary's Volleyball program heading into the 2025 season, and with good reason. The aggregate of new Head Coach Tyler Hildebrand coming over from USC, 12 returning players from last year's roster, including All-WCC honorees Genevieve Bane and Clarissa Klein, and an incoming class of 10, headlined by Power-Four transfers Vivian Parker, Anaya Thrower and Alayna Pearson, have made the Summer months feel a bit longer in anticipation for volleyball to return to UCU Pavilion. Well, the wait is almost over, as student-athletes reported back to campus on Monday and began their practice slate leading up to their exhibition on August 16 and their season opener on August 29.
In their first few practices of the Fall, the messaging from Coach Hildebrand was clear. "Some teams struggle in one facet of a match, and drill that facet over and over again in order to improve," he noted, "then, in their next match, the initial facet has improved, but another one falls off. That will not be our style, we will work on all facets of the game in every week of practice."
With that message in mind, the Gaels first broke into passing and blocking groups before coming together for live, six-on-six play. In the live portion, this new Gaels squad showed grit and tenacity, refusing to surrender in each and every rally as if they were locked in a battle for the WCC Title. Despite it being just week one of practice, it is clear that newcomers and returners alike have brought their a-game in order to show their new coaching staff their abilities to contribute to this year's program's success.
The Gaels will provide an opportunity for a sneak peak performance on August 16 at 5:30 PM with an open exhibition against fellow DI foe Cal State Bakersfield. Countable competition for the Gaels will start August 29, featuring a non-conference schedule exclusively on the road, before the home opener for SMC taking place on October 2.
#GaelsRise
In their first few practices of the Fall, the messaging from Coach Hildebrand was clear. "Some teams struggle in one facet of a match, and drill that facet over and over again in order to improve," he noted, "then, in their next match, the initial facet has improved, but another one falls off. That will not be our style, we will work on all facets of the game in every week of practice."
With that message in mind, the Gaels first broke into passing and blocking groups before coming together for live, six-on-six play. In the live portion, this new Gaels squad showed grit and tenacity, refusing to surrender in each and every rally as if they were locked in a battle for the WCC Title. Despite it being just week one of practice, it is clear that newcomers and returners alike have brought their a-game in order to show their new coaching staff their abilities to contribute to this year's program's success.
The Gaels will provide an opportunity for a sneak peak performance on August 16 at 5:30 PM with an open exhibition against fellow DI foe Cal State Bakersfield. Countable competition for the Gaels will start August 29, featuring a non-conference schedule exclusively on the road, before the home opener for SMC taking place on October 2.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's VolleyballVB | Tyler Hildebrand Presser, 10-13-25
Monday, October 13
VB | Highlights vs. Santa Clara, 10-11-25
Saturday, October 11
VB | Tyler Hildebrand Presser Post Santa Clara, 10-11-25
Saturday, October 11
VB | Highlights at Pacific, 10-9-25
Thursday, October 09
