Photo by: Ryan Barnett / SMC Athletics
VB | Gaels in Full Swing for Fall Practice, as Year Two of the Hildebrand Era Set to Start in Two Weeks
8/14/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
MORAGA, Calif. – Much growth was shown for Saint Mary's Volleyball in 2025 from match one to match 29 under the first year direction of head coach Tyler Hildebrand, and the Gaels are excited to build on that momentum in the 2026 campaign. Practice is in full swing for the Gaels, who bring both seriousness and fun on the court that should lead not just to success but also a fun brand of volleyball to watch for the Gaels faithful in 2026. To secure your tickets to see the squad in action, click here.
The Gaels return six student-athletes from last season's roster, led by senior libero Alayna Pearson. The Overland Park, Kansas native did not disappoint in year one, appearing in 28 of 29 matches and becoming just the ninth Gael in program history to record 400 digs in a single season. Also back from last year's starting lineup is middle blocker Anaya Thrower, who's 0.321 attack percentage was second best on the team, as were her 75 blocks. Additional returners include Layne Dent, Natalie Peete, Milani Billings and Amanda Prior.
Complementing the six returners are 12 newcomers for the Gaels, seven of which spent the Spring season in Moraga. Ava Galvan and Sadie White are a pair that came in the Spring who came in with the added bonus of familiarity with one another, both playing key roles for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks as freshmen last year. Outside hitter Antonie Kelnarova is the veteran of the incoming class, as the junior spent two years starting at the University of Illinois - Chicago. There, she earned All-Missouri Valley honors in 2025 and All-MVC Tournament recognition in 2024, helping the Flames to 40 wins in that time. Kelnarova's fellow countrywoman from Czechia, Caroline Formankova, brings in Power-Four experience to Moraga, transferring from Michigan State. Also on the list of newcomers are transfers Hadlee Gray, Mackenzie Jackson and Maddie Way, as well as true freshmen Kiana Johnson, Mikayla Haner, Lainey Day, Tallulah Carney and Caitlin Prior.
After not playing their first home game until October 2 last season, the Gaels will open up with three straight home games in 2026, playing host to UC San Diego, Southern Utah and Cal in the Gael-Bear Classic starting on August 28. The non-conference slate for the Gaels in totality will be quite a bit more friendly from a travel standpoint, as after traveling over 10,000 miles for the non-con slate last year, the Gaels will travel less than 1500 miles this year before taking on the likes of the West Coast Conference. Key matchups for the Gaels in their pre-conference slate will be a pair of clashes against Sacramento State and a road tilt at Boise State.
The WCC will look a little different in 2026, with the departures of Gonzaga, Oregon State and Washington State, and the addition of Denver University. The Gaels will open conference play with four straight road contests against the three WCC SoCal schools (San Diego, LMU and Pepperdine) and the conference newcomer Denver. The Gaels home conference opener will take place on October 8 against Seattle U.
Saint Mary's went 6-3 in home contests last year, and will look to defend their home court with the same tenacity this year. Tickets for all Saint Mary's Volleyball home matches are on sale here.
#GaelsRise
The Gaels return six student-athletes from last season's roster, led by senior libero Alayna Pearson. The Overland Park, Kansas native did not disappoint in year one, appearing in 28 of 29 matches and becoming just the ninth Gael in program history to record 400 digs in a single season. Also back from last year's starting lineup is middle blocker Anaya Thrower, who's 0.321 attack percentage was second best on the team, as were her 75 blocks. Additional returners include Layne Dent, Natalie Peete, Milani Billings and Amanda Prior.
Complementing the six returners are 12 newcomers for the Gaels, seven of which spent the Spring season in Moraga. Ava Galvan and Sadie White are a pair that came in the Spring who came in with the added bonus of familiarity with one another, both playing key roles for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks as freshmen last year. Outside hitter Antonie Kelnarova is the veteran of the incoming class, as the junior spent two years starting at the University of Illinois - Chicago. There, she earned All-Missouri Valley honors in 2025 and All-MVC Tournament recognition in 2024, helping the Flames to 40 wins in that time. Kelnarova's fellow countrywoman from Czechia, Caroline Formankova, brings in Power-Four experience to Moraga, transferring from Michigan State. Also on the list of newcomers are transfers Hadlee Gray, Mackenzie Jackson and Maddie Way, as well as true freshmen Kiana Johnson, Mikayla Haner, Lainey Day, Tallulah Carney and Caitlin Prior.
After not playing their first home game until October 2 last season, the Gaels will open up with three straight home games in 2026, playing host to UC San Diego, Southern Utah and Cal in the Gael-Bear Classic starting on August 28. The non-conference slate for the Gaels in totality will be quite a bit more friendly from a travel standpoint, as after traveling over 10,000 miles for the non-con slate last year, the Gaels will travel less than 1500 miles this year before taking on the likes of the West Coast Conference. Key matchups for the Gaels in their pre-conference slate will be a pair of clashes against Sacramento State and a road tilt at Boise State.
The WCC will look a little different in 2026, with the departures of Gonzaga, Oregon State and Washington State, and the addition of Denver University. The Gaels will open conference play with four straight road contests against the three WCC SoCal schools (San Diego, LMU and Pepperdine) and the conference newcomer Denver. The Gaels home conference opener will take place on October 8 against Seattle U.
Saint Mary's went 6-3 in home contests last year, and will look to defend their home court with the same tenacity this year. Tickets for all Saint Mary's Volleyball home matches are on sale here.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's VolleyballOPP/MB
/ Women's VolleyballMB/OPP
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOPP
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballL/DS
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballL/DS
/ Women's VolleyballL/DS
/ Women's VolleyballOPP
/ Women's VolleyballS
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballS
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