Friday, September 12
Norman, OK
4:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
1-6,0-0WCC
1
at
3
Oklahoma
6-1,0-0SEC
1
2
3
4
F
Saint Mary's (CA)
21
25
23
23
1
Oklahoma
25
20
25
25
3
Ivona Lazovic: 7 Kills, 0.750 H%, 35 Ast, 1 Ace, 2 Blks
Photo by: Cody Townsend
VB | Gaels Put Together Best All-Around Showing of the Fall, Drop Four Setter at Oklahoma
9/12/2025 7:17:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
NORMAN, Okla. — While Saint Mary's Volleyball (1-6) may not be satisfied with tonight's result against Oklahoma (6-1), falling in four, there is plenty for Coach Tyler Hildebrand to be pleased with. Taking on a team that made it to the second round of last year's NCAA Tournament, and has won six of their first seven contests in 2025, the Gaels were neck and neck with the Sooners throughout this contest, as the offense and defense both shined together for arguably the first time this season. The Gaels will hope to build on this momentum, getting another swing at the Sooners tomorrow.
This contest was tight from the opening serve, as SMC and OU found themselves knotted up at sevens through the first 14 points of the match, as Tessa Schouten tallied a kill and a block to help the Gaels keep pace early. The Sooners would score six of the next seven points to get key separation, but at 24-17, the Gaels would start to gain momentum. Saint Mary's would force Oklahoma to serve for the set five times, thanks in part to a pair of big kills from Mya Allen, before they were ultimately able to finish off the set at 25-21, but momentum was starting to build for the Gaels. On top of the contributions from Schouten and Allen in the set, the Gaels had big early performances from Ivona Lazovic, who tallied three kills on three attempts in the first set to go along with five assists and a block, and Alayna Pearson, who had five acrobatic digs, four assists and an ace.
The Gaels had quite the response in set two, building an early 20-12 lead. Oklahoma would twice shave the deficit down to three points, but the Gaels were able to ride their big wave to a set two victory. After being limited to just two kills in the first set, Genevieve Bane became the focal point of the Gael offense in set two with five kills on just seven swings. Ivona Lazovic remained perfect with four more kills and 13 set two assists, while Alayna Pearson uncorked an incredible 10 digs set two.
It was a hot start for the Sooners in set three, jumping ahead 7-2 and prompting a Coach Hildebrand timeout early. Whatever was said in that huddle needs to be bottled for the Gaels, who would go on a 12-6 run to take their first lead at 14-13. Genevieve Bane once again led the charge with three kills and a block during the momentous stretch. The Gaels would do their best to hold off the Sooners, but Oklahoma would regain the lead at 23-22, and would go onto win the set 25-23. Bane finished set three with five kills on eight swings, Lazovic would add 12 more assists and Pearson would record five more digs in the frame.
Genevieve Bane's 13th kill would give the Gaels the early 1-0 lead in set four, a lead they would not relinquish until allowing a late 7-0 run from the Sooners. Saint Mary's led 22-16 and looked bound for a fifth set, but Oklahoma had other plans, rattling off those seven straight points The Gaels would side out to knot things up at 23, but Oklahoma would finish off the final two points to secure the four set win on their home floor. Five kills from Genevieve Bane, three aces from Mya Allen and six digs from Alayna Pearson would not be enough for the Gaels to force that fifth, despite a monumental effort put forth.
Genevieve Bane finished her day with 17 kills to lead all players on either side, hitting at a season best 0.368 clip. Joining Bane with double-figure kills was Mya Allen, who logged a career-best 13 to go along with her first three collegiate service aces. Ivona Lazovic had a do-it-all kind of performance, leading the Gaels with 35 assists and a 0.750 hitting percentage (7 kills, eight attempts, one error), while ranking third on the team with two blocks. Alayna Pearson's 26 digs were not only a career-high, but also tie her for fifth most in a four set match in program history, while Tessa Schouten's four blocks set a new season-high for the sophomore, as that duo helped a brilliant defensive showing for SMC. As a team, the Gaels set new season-high single game marks in hitting percentage (0.304) thanks to a season-low in errors.
LAZOVIC DOES IT ALL
True freshmen setter Ivona Lazovic continues to show she's so much more than just a setter. While Lazovic does an excellent job at the set position, leading the team once again with 35 assists tonight, it's everything else that she does that makes her so special, and that was on display tonight. Lazovic went for seven kills on her first seven attempts, finishing her night with seven on eight attempts, easily surpassing her previous career-high of six. Lazovic also recorded her 10th service ace, now leading the Gaels. She has now recorded an ace in five straight contests. Last but certainly not least, Lazovic was active on the block, playing full rotation picking up her second career multi-block game. With how active Lazovic has been in all facets of the game, it's easy to forget, she's just a freshman.
MORE THAN JUST A CAREER NIGHT
Junior libero Alayna Pearson put up an incredible 26 dig performance tonight. Not only was that mark a new career-high, it also is good for fifth most in a four set match in program history. Through seven matches in her Gael career, Pearson now has 117 digs, good for a 4.33 dig per set average, a truly incredibly high mark.
UP NEXT
The Gaels will get another stab at Oklahoma tomorrow at 4 PM.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME VOLLEYBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.
#GaelsRise
This contest was tight from the opening serve, as SMC and OU found themselves knotted up at sevens through the first 14 points of the match, as Tessa Schouten tallied a kill and a block to help the Gaels keep pace early. The Sooners would score six of the next seven points to get key separation, but at 24-17, the Gaels would start to gain momentum. Saint Mary's would force Oklahoma to serve for the set five times, thanks in part to a pair of big kills from Mya Allen, before they were ultimately able to finish off the set at 25-21, but momentum was starting to build for the Gaels. On top of the contributions from Schouten and Allen in the set, the Gaels had big early performances from Ivona Lazovic, who tallied three kills on three attempts in the first set to go along with five assists and a block, and Alayna Pearson, who had five acrobatic digs, four assists and an ace.
S1 | SMC 9 - OKLA 14
— Saint Mary's Volleyball (@SMC_Volleyball) September 12, 2025
Gaels out of system? Doesn't matter! They capitalize here!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/qRdlLHyGWz
S1 | SMC 14 - OKLA 18
— Saint Mary's Volleyball (@SMC_Volleyball) September 12, 2025
Alayna Pearson, are you kidding me???@SportsCenter #GaelsRise #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/VTBsRGIn8x
S1 | SMC 15 - OKLA 20
— Saint Mary's Volleyball (@SMC_Volleyball) September 12, 2025
Ivona Lazovic, WE ARE LOVING IT!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/lIKnEGlswF
S1 | SMC 21 - OKLA 25
— Saint Mary's Volleyball (@SMC_Volleyball) September 12, 2025
Gaels finish the set strong, fall just short!
Lazovic: 3 Kills (1.000 H%), 5 Ast, 1 Blk
Allen: 3 Kills, 3 Digs
Schouten: 2 Kills, 1 Blk
Bane: 2 Kills
Pearson: 5 Digs, 4 Ast, 1 Ace#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/zK4NuQGNBp
The Gaels had quite the response in set two, building an early 20-12 lead. Oklahoma would twice shave the deficit down to three points, but the Gaels were able to ride their big wave to a set two victory. After being limited to just two kills in the first set, Genevieve Bane became the focal point of the Gael offense in set two with five kills on just seven swings. Ivona Lazovic remained perfect with four more kills and 13 set two assists, while Alayna Pearson uncorked an incredible 10 digs set two.
S2 | SMC 2 - OKLA 2
— Saint Mary's Volleyball (@SMC_Volleyball) September 12, 2025
No quit in this Gaels back row!#GaelsRise @SportsCenter #SCTop10 @WCCsports pic.twitter.com/eZABE1L7EM
S2 | SMC 5 - OKLA 5
— Saint Mary's Volleyball (@SMC_Volleyball) September 12, 2025
ALAYNA PEARSON, WHAT CAN'T YOU DO???#GaelsRise @WCCsports pic.twitter.com/QNBCkmvQOG
It was a hot start for the Sooners in set three, jumping ahead 7-2 and prompting a Coach Hildebrand timeout early. Whatever was said in that huddle needs to be bottled for the Gaels, who would go on a 12-6 run to take their first lead at 14-13. Genevieve Bane once again led the charge with three kills and a block during the momentous stretch. The Gaels would do their best to hold off the Sooners, but Oklahoma would regain the lead at 23-22, and would go onto win the set 25-23. Bane finished set three with five kills on eight swings, Lazovic would add 12 more assists and Pearson would record five more digs in the frame.
S3 | SMC 17 - OKLA 15
— Saint Mary's Volleyball (@SMC_Volleyball) September 13, 2025
Alayna "Pancake" Pearson...yeah we like that!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/lzSONBWFS4
Genevieve Bane's 13th kill would give the Gaels the early 1-0 lead in set four, a lead they would not relinquish until allowing a late 7-0 run from the Sooners. Saint Mary's led 22-16 and looked bound for a fifth set, but Oklahoma had other plans, rattling off those seven straight points The Gaels would side out to knot things up at 23, but Oklahoma would finish off the final two points to secure the four set win on their home floor. Five kills from Genevieve Bane, three aces from Mya Allen and six digs from Alayna Pearson would not be enough for the Gaels to force that fifth, despite a monumental effort put forth.
S4 | SMC 11 - OKLA 7
— Saint Mary's Volleyball (@SMC_Volleyball) September 13, 2025
Is it "Pancake" Pearson or "Super Man" Pearson?#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/WFYaanWXWh
S4 | SMC 13 - OKLA 10
— Saint Mary's Volleyball (@SMC_Volleyball) September 13, 2025
That's kill #15 for Genevieve Bane tonight!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/PQOYPYY91s
S4 | SMC 15 - OKLA 10
— Saint Mary's Volleyball (@SMC_Volleyball) September 13, 2025
Back-to-Back aces from Mya Allen!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/UkZE213gCY
Genevieve Bane finished her day with 17 kills to lead all players on either side, hitting at a season best 0.368 clip. Joining Bane with double-figure kills was Mya Allen, who logged a career-best 13 to go along with her first three collegiate service aces. Ivona Lazovic had a do-it-all kind of performance, leading the Gaels with 35 assists and a 0.750 hitting percentage (7 kills, eight attempts, one error), while ranking third on the team with two blocks. Alayna Pearson's 26 digs were not only a career-high, but also tie her for fifth most in a four set match in program history, while Tessa Schouten's four blocks set a new season-high for the sophomore, as that duo helped a brilliant defensive showing for SMC. As a team, the Gaels set new season-high single game marks in hitting percentage (0.304) thanks to a season-low in errors.
LAZOVIC DOES IT ALL
True freshmen setter Ivona Lazovic continues to show she's so much more than just a setter. While Lazovic does an excellent job at the set position, leading the team once again with 35 assists tonight, it's everything else that she does that makes her so special, and that was on display tonight. Lazovic went for seven kills on her first seven attempts, finishing her night with seven on eight attempts, easily surpassing her previous career-high of six. Lazovic also recorded her 10th service ace, now leading the Gaels. She has now recorded an ace in five straight contests. Last but certainly not least, Lazovic was active on the block, playing full rotation picking up her second career multi-block game. With how active Lazovic has been in all facets of the game, it's easy to forget, she's just a freshman.
MORE THAN JUST A CAREER NIGHT
Junior libero Alayna Pearson put up an incredible 26 dig performance tonight. Not only was that mark a new career-high, it also is good for fifth most in a four set match in program history. Through seven matches in her Gael career, Pearson now has 117 digs, good for a 4.33 dig per set average, a truly incredibly high mark.
UP NEXT
The Gaels will get another stab at Oklahoma tomorrow at 4 PM.
DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME VOLLEYBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.
#GaelsRise
Team Stats
SMC
OK
Kills
51
64
Errors
16
19
Attempts
115
135
Hitting %
.304
.333
Points
64.0
73.0
Assists
47
59
Aces
7
3
Blocks
6
6
Game Leaders
Kills
17
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
7
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's VolleyballS
/ Women's VolleyballL/DS
/ Women's VolleyballMB
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