VB | Gaels Pick Up First Win in Malibu Since 2015, Down Pepperdine in Four Sets

Saturday, October 3

Malibu, CA

1:00 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

8-8,3-1WCC

Pepperdine

11-4,3-1WCC

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Saint Mary's (CA)	25	25	23	26	3
Pepperdine	16	15	25	24	1

Highlights

Anaya Thrower: 7 Blocks, 3 Aces (Career-High)

Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner

VB | Gaels Pick Up First Win in Malibu Since 2015, Down Pepperdine in Four Sets

10/3/2026 4:05:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Highlights

MALIBU, Calif. — Saint Mary's Volleyball had a massive response on Saturday afternoon against the Pepperdine Waves, defeating the previously WCC unbeaten 3-1. This marks the Gaels' first over the Waves since 2019, and their first win inside Firestone Fieldhouse since 2015.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gaels played likely the best volleyball they've played all season in the first two sets in this one. In set one, the two sides matched each other through the first 16 points at 8-8, but a 10-3 run would propel the Gaels into the driver's seat for the remainder of the opening stanza. In that run, Antonie Kelnarova accounted for 5.5 points with five kills and a block assists, while Anaya Thrower went for 3.5 with a kill, a block assist and a pair of aces. Ahead 18-11, the Gaels cruised to an eventual 25-16 set one victory, hitting 0.469 in the frame, charged by eight kills on ten swings without an error from Kelnarova.

Set two was tight early, like set one, this time with both teams playing to a five all stalemate. A 4-0 run for the Gaels on a long Natalie Peete service run would push the Gaels ahead 9-5, and they would balloon their lead all the way up to 12 points at 22-10, ultimately finishing the second set, 25-15. The Gaels attack continued to be red hot, hitting at 0.387 in this set, with Kelnarova continuing to go without an error.

In deja vu fashion, the Gaels again jumped out to a 9-5 lead in set three, but this time, the Waves would not bow out. Knotting things up at 10 apiece, Pepperdine matched the Gaels swing for swing all the way to a 20-20 scoreline. Saint Mary's would do their best to stave off the surging Waves, but ultimately dropped the tight third, 25-23.

The quick start Gaels were at it again in the fourth set, pulling ahead 20-13 and looked like a four set victory was imminent. Pepperdine again came to life in the latter part of the fourth stanza, going on an 11-4 run to knot things up at 24 all, but the Gaels would slide out to set up match point, before Antonie Kelnarova would put away her 22nd kill to end the match, 3-1.

GAME NOTES

The Gaels logged their first win over Pepperdine since 2019, and their first win at Pepperdine since 2015.
The 3-1 start in conference play is the Gaels best since 2022, when they also opened 3-1.
For the fifth time this season, the Gaels had at least 60 kills in a match, one shy of their tally of 60 kills matches for all of last season.
More than a third of those kills came from Antonie Kelnarova, who went for 22, a new career-high mark.
Kelnarova also added a team-best 15 digs for her eighth double-double of the year.
Sadie White was once again brilliant from the setter position, with 47 assists, eight digs and career-high six kills on just nine attempts.
Anaya Thrower got her hands on seven of the Gaels' nine blocks and added a career best three aces.
The Gaels held Pepperdine to a 0.185 attack clip, their second lowest tally of the year, behind only their match against USC.
For the third time this season, the Gaels hit better than 0.250, and they are 3-0 in those instances.
Kelnarova surpassed 200 kills for the season in this match, while Alayna Pearson surpassed 200 digs.

UP NEXT
The Gaels will return home after two weeks away from UCU Pavilion to host Seattle (Oct. 8, 6:30 p.m.) and Portland (Oct. 10, 2:00 p.m.). Get your tickets today at smcgaels.com/tickets, or stream the matches live on ESPN+.

Don't miss a second of Saint Mary's Volleyball action in 2026! Tickets are on sale here!

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