Thursday, September 3
Sacramento, CA
4:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
vs
Texas Tech
The Gaels' Bench Erupts After a Momentous Block
Photo by: Varun Aravind (@vflicks04)
VB | Gaels Ride Momentum into Sac State Invitational
8/31/2026 4:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MORAGA, Calif. — After winning two of three to open the year at the 2026 Gael-Bear Classic, Saint Mary's will make their first road trip of the year east to the state capital for three games in the Sac State Invitational. The Gaels will get chances to extend their current win streak, taking on Texas Tech (Sep. 3), Nevada (Sep. 4) and host Sacramento State (Sep. 5) as they look to build on their 2-1 start.
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Thursday, September 3 at 4 p.m.
The Nest – Sacramento, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Nevada Wolf Pack
Friday, September 4 at 4 p.m.
The Nest – Sacramento, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
Saint Mary's Gaels at Sacramento State Hornets
Saturday, September 5 at 1:30 p.m.
The Nest – Sacramento, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
BLOCK PARTY
Three matches into the 2025 campaign, the Gaels were averaging 1.2 blocks per set. At the same time this year, the Gaels are averaging 2.1. Returning middle blocker Anaya Thrower led the charge averaging 0.9 blocks per set, while newcomer Ava Galvan finished out the week at 0.8 blocks per set, including a team-high four solo stuffs. The play at the net this season should be a key to the Gaels success, as last year, Saint Mary's went 9-1 when outblocking their opponents.
LOOKING TO MAKE A GOOD START A GREAT START
The Gaels jumped out to their best start since 2023, when they opened their campaign at 6-1 in their first seven contests. 2023 also marked the Gaels last winning season, when they went 16-12. The Gaels' best start in program history came in 2004, when they opened up 15-1 en route to a 25-4 campaign and a three game run at the NCAA Tournament.
ABOUT THE RED RAIDERS
Texas Tech looks to break out of a recent rut that they've been on, going just 35-55 over the last three seasons. 11th year head coach Tony Graystone is no stranger to winning, however, with five winning seasons in his first 10 years at the helm, including a trip to the NCAA tournament in 2021. This year's squad opened the season going 1-1 at the Rumble in the Rockies, falling in four to host Wyoming, before responding by winning a five set thriller over St. Thomas. A trio of newcomers have led the Red Raiders in the early going, outside hitters Sara Bowcutt (27 kills, 16 digs, 3 aces) and Ella Dinsmore (15 kills, 13 digs, 3 aces, 0.429 att%) and setter Taylor Cook (64 assists, 16 digs 3 aces, 6 blocks). This matchup will mark the first all-time meeting between these two schools.
ABOUT THE WOLF PACK
Nevada will enter week two of the 2026 season looking to get win number one of the Jason Borchin era. Coach Borchin took the reins after spending 10 years (over two stints) at Cal Poly as an assistant coach. The Wolf Pack went on the road for their first two contests of 2026, falling in three to Portland, and in five to Portland State. Early on in the season, it seems that Arizona transfer Paige Thies will be the go-to hitter for Nevada, tallying 26 kills in her first two matches for the Wolf Pack, while also adding 19 digs. Returning middle blocker Ceren Sert has provided veteran leadership for Nevada, and leads the team with three service aces and eight blocks through the first two matches. This meeting will be the 22nd all-time between the Gaels and Wolf Pack, with Nevada holding a narrow 11-10 advantage, but the Gaels winning three of the last four matchups.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Sacramento State will be arguably one of the toughest matchups on the Gaels' non-conference slate. The Hornets are riding a streak of three straight 20+ win seasons under 19th year head coach Ruben Volta, who now has six 20+ win seasons in his tenure. It was a tough start to the 2026 campaign for the Hornets, who traveled south to the Asics Classic, hosted by Pepperdine, and fell to South Dakota State, Villanova and host Pepperdine, falling to 0-3 for the second straight year. A year ago, the Hornets rebounded to win 20 of their next 27 following the 0-3 start, and will look to have similar success starting this week. Returning honorable mention All-American Victoria Marthaler looks to once again lead the Hornets, after being named the Big Sky MVP last year. In 35 all-time meetings, Sacramento State leads the series 25-10, but the Gaels have won seven of the last nine meetings.
Don't miss a second of Saint Mary's Volleyball action in 2026! Tickets are on sale here!
#GaelsRise
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Thursday, September 3 at 4 p.m.
The Nest – Sacramento, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Nevada Wolf Pack
Friday, September 4 at 4 p.m.
The Nest – Sacramento, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
Saint Mary's Gaels at Sacramento State Hornets
Saturday, September 5 at 1:30 p.m.
The Nest – Sacramento, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
BLOCK PARTY
Three matches into the 2025 campaign, the Gaels were averaging 1.2 blocks per set. At the same time this year, the Gaels are averaging 2.1. Returning middle blocker Anaya Thrower led the charge averaging 0.9 blocks per set, while newcomer Ava Galvan finished out the week at 0.8 blocks per set, including a team-high four solo stuffs. The play at the net this season should be a key to the Gaels success, as last year, Saint Mary's went 9-1 when outblocking their opponents.
LOOKING TO MAKE A GOOD START A GREAT START
The Gaels jumped out to their best start since 2023, when they opened their campaign at 6-1 in their first seven contests. 2023 also marked the Gaels last winning season, when they went 16-12. The Gaels' best start in program history came in 2004, when they opened up 15-1 en route to a 25-4 campaign and a three game run at the NCAA Tournament.
ABOUT THE RED RAIDERS
Texas Tech looks to break out of a recent rut that they've been on, going just 35-55 over the last three seasons. 11th year head coach Tony Graystone is no stranger to winning, however, with five winning seasons in his first 10 years at the helm, including a trip to the NCAA tournament in 2021. This year's squad opened the season going 1-1 at the Rumble in the Rockies, falling in four to host Wyoming, before responding by winning a five set thriller over St. Thomas. A trio of newcomers have led the Red Raiders in the early going, outside hitters Sara Bowcutt (27 kills, 16 digs, 3 aces) and Ella Dinsmore (15 kills, 13 digs, 3 aces, 0.429 att%) and setter Taylor Cook (64 assists, 16 digs 3 aces, 6 blocks). This matchup will mark the first all-time meeting between these two schools.
ABOUT THE WOLF PACK
Nevada will enter week two of the 2026 season looking to get win number one of the Jason Borchin era. Coach Borchin took the reins after spending 10 years (over two stints) at Cal Poly as an assistant coach. The Wolf Pack went on the road for their first two contests of 2026, falling in three to Portland, and in five to Portland State. Early on in the season, it seems that Arizona transfer Paige Thies will be the go-to hitter for Nevada, tallying 26 kills in her first two matches for the Wolf Pack, while also adding 19 digs. Returning middle blocker Ceren Sert has provided veteran leadership for Nevada, and leads the team with three service aces and eight blocks through the first two matches. This meeting will be the 22nd all-time between the Gaels and Wolf Pack, with Nevada holding a narrow 11-10 advantage, but the Gaels winning three of the last four matchups.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Sacramento State will be arguably one of the toughest matchups on the Gaels' non-conference slate. The Hornets are riding a streak of three straight 20+ win seasons under 19th year head coach Ruben Volta, who now has six 20+ win seasons in his tenure. It was a tough start to the 2026 campaign for the Hornets, who traveled south to the Asics Classic, hosted by Pepperdine, and fell to South Dakota State, Villanova and host Pepperdine, falling to 0-3 for the second straight year. A year ago, the Hornets rebounded to win 20 of their next 27 following the 0-3 start, and will look to have similar success starting this week. Returning honorable mention All-American Victoria Marthaler looks to once again lead the Hornets, after being named the Big Sky MVP last year. In 35 all-time meetings, Sacramento State leads the series 25-10, but the Gaels have won seven of the last nine meetings.
Don't miss a second of Saint Mary's Volleyball action in 2026! Tickets are on sale here!
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's VolleyballMB
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