Thursday, September 24
San Diego, CA
7:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
at
San Diego
Antonie Kelnarova leads the Gaels in Kills and Aces, while ranking 2nd in Digs
Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
VB | Gaels Open Conference Play at Defending WCC Champ San Diego and Conference Newcomer Denver
9/21/2026 3:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MORAGA, Calif. — After 12 games of non-conference action, the Saint Mary's volleyball team is set to open West Coast Conference play this week, heading south to take on the defending conference champion San Diego Toreros, followed by a trip to the Rocky Mountains to play WCC newcomer Denver. The beginning of the conference slate marks the start of the Gaels' campaign for their second WCC title in program history.Â
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels at San Diego Toreros
Thursday, September 24 at 7 p.m.
Jenny Craig Pavilion – San Diego, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
Saint Mary's Gaels at Denver Pioneers
Saturday, September 26 at 12 p.m. PST
Hamilton Gymnasium – Denver, Colo.Â
WATCH | LIVE STATS
NON-CON IN REVIEW
Saint Mary's went 5-7 in non-conference play here in 2026, a massive improvement from their 2-11 non-conference record in year one under head coach Tyler Hildebrand in 2025. The Gaels logged wins over Southern Utah, Cal, Nevada, Eastern Washington, and New Mexico. Through the first 12 games, it's been the defense and serving that have shined brightest for the Gaels. Across the back row, the Gaels have averaged 13.53 digs per set, led by 3.30 from Alayna Pearson and 2.55 from Antonie Kelnarova. At the net, the Gaels are averaging just north of 2 blocks per set, with more than half of those belonging to Anaya Thrower. In their 12 non-conference matches, the Gaels have four 60+ dig matches, and five double-digit block efforts. Those numbers were 0 and 0 in last year's non-con slate. That has helped the Gaels to limit opponents to just a 0.185 attack clip. At the service line, the Gaels have already broken the century mark for aces, with 111 in their first 12 matches. That number is good for third in the country, due in large part to Kelnarova's 36, good for second in the country.
FIVE WITH DOUBLE DIGIT DIGS
The Saint Mary's Gaels put up an impressive defensive effort despite a five set loss to Fresno State in the Saint Mary's Invitational finale, with five players with 10 or more digs. Alayna Pearson (16), Antonie Kelnarova (14), Sadie White (12), Mikayla Haner (12) and Natalie Peete (11) all helped accomplish this feat. The last time the Gaels were able to do this was all the way back on Oct. 13, 2018 in a four set win over Portland. In that game, Lindsey Knudsen (16), Sarah Chase (13), Emily Bible (13), Alosina Thompson (11) and Alexsa Parker (10) all recorded double-digit dig efforts.Â
ABOUT THE TOREROS
Under the 26th year direction of legendary head coach Jennifer Petrie, the San Diego Toreros were once again selected as the preseason WCC favorites. The Toreros have won four WCC Titles over the past decade, and look to begin their 2025 title defense against the Gaels. In non-conference play, USD went 5-5, with all five losses coming at the hands of nationally ranked programs. Like the Gaels, the Toreros are a stellar defensive team, led by libero Lauren Lynch (4.68 digs/set, 2nd in the WCC) and DePaul transfer middle blocker Meghan Scholz (1.37 blocks/set, 2nd in the WCC). That has led USD to limiting opponents to just a 0.156 hitting percentage, a top-20 mark in the country. In 80 previous meetings, the Gaels have just 14 wins against the Toreros.Â
ABOUT THE PIONEERS
Conference newcomer Denver went 7-5 in their first non-conference schedule as a member of the WCC. Fourth year head coach Megan Pendergast is coming off of a 17-11 campaign in 2026, the best in her tenure with Denver. After a 5-1 start to the year, the Pioneers have won just two of their next six matchups. Libero Madison Winkler has quickly established herself as a name to know in the WCC, leading the conference with an incredible 4.93 dis per set. As such, Denver leads the conference in digs per set as a team. This will be just the second all-time meeting between the Gaels and Pioneers, with the Pioneers winning the previous meeting in 2018.Â
Don't miss a second of Saint Mary's Volleyball action in 2026! Tickets are on sale here!
#GaelsRise
Â
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels at San Diego Toreros
Thursday, September 24 at 7 p.m.
Jenny Craig Pavilion – San Diego, Calif.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
Saint Mary's Gaels at Denver Pioneers
Saturday, September 26 at 12 p.m. PST
Hamilton Gymnasium – Denver, Colo.Â
WATCH | LIVE STATS
NON-CON IN REVIEW
Saint Mary's went 5-7 in non-conference play here in 2026, a massive improvement from their 2-11 non-conference record in year one under head coach Tyler Hildebrand in 2025. The Gaels logged wins over Southern Utah, Cal, Nevada, Eastern Washington, and New Mexico. Through the first 12 games, it's been the defense and serving that have shined brightest for the Gaels. Across the back row, the Gaels have averaged 13.53 digs per set, led by 3.30 from Alayna Pearson and 2.55 from Antonie Kelnarova. At the net, the Gaels are averaging just north of 2 blocks per set, with more than half of those belonging to Anaya Thrower. In their 12 non-conference matches, the Gaels have four 60+ dig matches, and five double-digit block efforts. Those numbers were 0 and 0 in last year's non-con slate. That has helped the Gaels to limit opponents to just a 0.185 attack clip. At the service line, the Gaels have already broken the century mark for aces, with 111 in their first 12 matches. That number is good for third in the country, due in large part to Kelnarova's 36, good for second in the country.
FIVE WITH DOUBLE DIGIT DIGS
The Saint Mary's Gaels put up an impressive defensive effort despite a five set loss to Fresno State in the Saint Mary's Invitational finale, with five players with 10 or more digs. Alayna Pearson (16), Antonie Kelnarova (14), Sadie White (12), Mikayla Haner (12) and Natalie Peete (11) all helped accomplish this feat. The last time the Gaels were able to do this was all the way back on Oct. 13, 2018 in a four set win over Portland. In that game, Lindsey Knudsen (16), Sarah Chase (13), Emily Bible (13), Alosina Thompson (11) and Alexsa Parker (10) all recorded double-digit dig efforts.Â
ABOUT THE TOREROS
Under the 26th year direction of legendary head coach Jennifer Petrie, the San Diego Toreros were once again selected as the preseason WCC favorites. The Toreros have won four WCC Titles over the past decade, and look to begin their 2025 title defense against the Gaels. In non-conference play, USD went 5-5, with all five losses coming at the hands of nationally ranked programs. Like the Gaels, the Toreros are a stellar defensive team, led by libero Lauren Lynch (4.68 digs/set, 2nd in the WCC) and DePaul transfer middle blocker Meghan Scholz (1.37 blocks/set, 2nd in the WCC). That has led USD to limiting opponents to just a 0.156 hitting percentage, a top-20 mark in the country. In 80 previous meetings, the Gaels have just 14 wins against the Toreros.Â
ABOUT THE PIONEERS
Conference newcomer Denver went 7-5 in their first non-conference schedule as a member of the WCC. Fourth year head coach Megan Pendergast is coming off of a 17-11 campaign in 2026, the best in her tenure with Denver. After a 5-1 start to the year, the Pioneers have won just two of their next six matchups. Libero Madison Winkler has quickly established herself as a name to know in the WCC, leading the conference with an incredible 4.93 dis per set. As such, Denver leads the conference in digs per set as a team. This will be just the second all-time meeting between the Gaels and Pioneers, with the Pioneers winning the previous meeting in 2018.Â
Don't miss a second of Saint Mary's Volleyball action in 2026! Tickets are on sale here!
#GaelsRise
Â
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballL/DS
/ Women's VolleyballL/DS
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballS
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