Thursday, September 3
Sacramento, CA
4:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
2-2,0-0WCC
1
vs
3
Texas Tech
2-1,0-0Big 12
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary's (CA) | 23 | 25 | 18 | 20 | 1 |
| Texas Tech | 25 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Caroline Formankova: 3 Service Aces
Photo by: Varun Aravind (@vflicks04)
VB | Defense Continues to Shine, Gaels Fall in Four to Texas Tech
9/3/2026 8:37:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – For the second straight matchup, the Gaels went toe-to-toe with a power-four foe, drawing the Texas Tech Red Raiders for their opening match at the Sac State Invitational. The Gaels battled valiantly in all four sets, but ultimately fell in four. Saint Mary's put up a gritty defensive effort, with 45 digs and 11 blocks, both above their season averages, in the match.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresh off of a win vs East Bay rival Cal, the Gaels came out energized to steal another victory over a Power Four opponent, opening the set on a 9-5 scoring run. The Red Raider weathers the storm, taking their first lead of the match at 12-11, but Saint Mary's was able to pull back in front at 21-20. Texas Tech picked up a key sideout to level things at 21 apiece, and used that momentum to spark a 5-2 run to pull ahead 1-0 in the match. Layne Dent and Ava Galvan began the match on the front foot, combining for seven kills on 10 swings and just one error in set one, while Alayna Pearson had an impressive seven digs in the opening frame.
After dropping an opening set for the first time this season, the Gaels came out inspired in set two, putting up their best frame of the match. After sitting at an even 13 all scoreline to start the set, the Gaels rattled off four straight points, three of which were scored by Layne Dent, and would not relinquish that lead en route to a 25-20 set two W. The Gaels tallied four massive aces in the frame, two coming from Caroline Formankova.
The Gaels fell into an early hole in set three, falling behind by as many as nine before ultimately falling 25-18. The decisive fourth set saw Saint Mary's erase a four point 9-5 deficit and turn it into a 16-15 lead. The Gaels took their final lead of the match at 20-19, but saw the Red Raiders rattle off six straight points to end the match.
GAME NOTES
The Gaels will be back in action against Nevada tomorrow for game two of the Sac State Invitational. First serve will be at 4 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.
#GaelRise
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresh off of a win vs East Bay rival Cal, the Gaels came out energized to steal another victory over a Power Four opponent, opening the set on a 9-5 scoring run. The Red Raider weathers the storm, taking their first lead of the match at 12-11, but Saint Mary's was able to pull back in front at 21-20. Texas Tech picked up a key sideout to level things at 21 apiece, and used that momentum to spark a 5-2 run to pull ahead 1-0 in the match. Layne Dent and Ava Galvan began the match on the front foot, combining for seven kills on 10 swings and just one error in set one, while Alayna Pearson had an impressive seven digs in the opening frame.
After dropping an opening set for the first time this season, the Gaels came out inspired in set two, putting up their best frame of the match. After sitting at an even 13 all scoreline to start the set, the Gaels rattled off four straight points, three of which were scored by Layne Dent, and would not relinquish that lead en route to a 25-20 set two W. The Gaels tallied four massive aces in the frame, two coming from Caroline Formankova.
The Gaels fell into an early hole in set three, falling behind by as many as nine before ultimately falling 25-18. The decisive fourth set saw Saint Mary's erase a four point 9-5 deficit and turn it into a 16-15 lead. The Gaels took their final lead of the match at 20-19, but saw the Red Raiders rattle off six straight points to end the match.
GAME NOTES
- Saint Mary's logged a season-best 11 blocks in tonight's contest, led by six from Anaya Thrower (in just three sets of action), and three each from Makenzie Jackson, Layne Dent and Ava Galvan
- At the service line, the Gaels put up eight aces, second best this season, while recorded a season-low seven service errors
- Leading the serving efforts were the Czech-mates, Caroline Formankova (3 aces, 1 error) and Antonie Kelnarova (2 aces, 0 errors)
- Layne Dent was the only Gael to reach double-figures for kills, tallying 11 on 21 swings, a new career-high
The Gaels will be back in action against Nevada tomorrow for game two of the Sac State Invitational. First serve will be at 4 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.
#GaelRise
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's VolleyballOPP
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOPP
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballL/DS
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
SMC
TTU
Kills
40
58
Errors
20
24
Attempts
117
140
Hitting %
.171
.243
Points
59.0
81.0
Assists
37
51
Aces
8
10
Blocks
11
13
Game Leaders
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
8
Aces
2
Blocks
0
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
5
Aces
1
Blocks
6
Thursday, September 03
Monday, August 31
Sunday, August 30
Sunday, August 30
