VB | Kelnarova’s Historic Day Not Enough, as Gaels Fall in Four to LMU

Saturday, November 7

Moraga, CA

2:00 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

14-11,9-4WCC

LMU

21-3,12-1WCC

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
LMU (CA)	27	25	22	25	3
Saint Mary's (CA)	25	15	25	22	1

Antonie Kelnarova: 16 Kills, 13 Digs, 2 Ace

Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner

11/7/2026 6:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Highlights

MORAGA, Calif. — For the second time in three days, Saint Mary's duked it out with a team sitting atop the WCC standings, as LMU, like Pepperdine on Thursday, was pushed to the brink by the Gaels, but were able to outlast an impressive Saint Mary's effort, but ultimately picked up the four set win. Antonie Kelnarova shined for the Gaels, with 16 kills and 13 digs, while adding a pair of aces to tie and break the WCC rally scoring single season ace record, now with 57.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Saint Mary's jumped out an early 14-6 lead in set one, showing that this contest would be no cake walk for the first place Lions. While LMU remained steadfast in their resolve, the Gaels got it to set point at 24-22, following an Antonie Kelnarova kill. The Lions responded with a 3-0 run of their own to set up their first set point opportunity, and while Layne Dent would get a massive sideout kill, the Lions would finish off the set on the next two points, 27-25. Dent was a driving force for the Gaels early, with six kills on 12 swings in the opening frame.

Again, it was the Gaels making noise early in the second frame, as a long Alayna Pearson service run would give them an early 5-1 lead. The Lions would knot things up at 10 apiece before going on a momentous 12-1 run, and would eventually see things out 25-15 to take a 2-0 lead into the intermission. Ava Galvan was the brightest spot in the second stanza, turning all three swings into three kills.

After hitting just 0.155 in the first two sets, the Gaels' offense came to life to the tune of a 0.406 clip in the final two frames. Set three saw the Gaels break a seven all stalemate with a 13-7 run, giving them the separation they would need to take their first set, 25-22. Saint Mary's hit a match best 0.414 in that set, due in large part to eight kills on 11 swings and just one error from Antonie Kelnarova. The Gaels continued to stay hot in set four, hitting at a 0.400 clip as a team. The Gaels and Lions found themselves deadlocked at 14 all, before LMU would record back-to-back kills and would not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the set, taking it 25-22, and the match, 3-1. Mackenzie Jackson was a massive contributor to another strong attacking set for SMC, with five kills on seven swings without an error. Set four also saw Antonie Kelnarova record her second ace of the match, giving her the new WCC Rally Scoring single season record with 57.

GAME NOTES

Antonie Kelnarova broke the WCC Rally Scoring single season ace record with two today to give her 57 for the season. The record was previously held by Darina Kumanova of Pacific (2022) and Heather Hughes of LMU (2006).
On top of her historic ace numbers, Kelnarova also logged her 11th double-double, with 16 kills and 13 digs.
Layne Dent (12) and Makenzie Jackson (10) also logged double-digit kills, marking the second consecutive match that that trio have all had double figures for kills.
Sadie White logged 48 assists, her second most this season, and her most in a four set match.
The Gaels had their eighth double-digit ace match of the season, with five different players recording at least one ace, four recording multiple, and Alayna Pearson and Caroline Formankova each going for a match-high three.
Anaya Thrower had a pair of solo blocks, giving her 27 for the season, tying her for seventh most in a single season in program history.

QUOTABLE

UP NEXT
The Gaels will hit the road to the Pacific Northwest, taking on Portland (Nov. 12) and Seattle U (Nov. 14) next week. Catch both matches live on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. and 1 p.m. respectively.

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

#GaelsRise