Friday, September 4
Sacramento, CA
4:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
3-2,0-0WCC
3
vs
0
Nevada
0-4,0-0Mountain West
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary's (CA) | 31 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Nevada | 29 | 19 | 20 | 0 |
Antonie Kelnarova: 11 kills, 11 digs, 11 aces (first triple-double in program history)
Photo by: Varun Aravind (@vflicks04)
VB | 2026 Gaels Etch Names into the Record Books in Sweep of Nevada
9/4/2026 8:40:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Let the records fall! Saint Mary's had a momentous three set sweep over Nevada this evening that saw a trio of program firsts. In the dominant performance, the Gaels recorded their first ever 20 aces match in program history, while seeing Antonie Kelnarova become the first player in program history to record double-digit aces and the first to record a triple-double. The Gaels did this in three sets, no less, in this stellar showing.
HOW IT HAPPENED
While this match would seem like a lopsided affair, the first set was anything but, with the Gaels outlasting the Wolf Pack in bonus volleyball, 31-29. Saint Mary's jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, but the Wolf Pack bounced back in the latter parts of the frame, taking their first lead at 17-16. That deficit would balloon all the way up to four points for the Gaels before they began to claw back into things. After Nevada took a 23-21 lead, the Gaels would be gifted a sideout on a service error, and then rattled off three straight points to serve for the set at 24-23. Back-and-forth, however the two sides would trade sideouts until Hadlee Gray and Anaya Thrower would pair up for a set ending block at 31-29. The epic, marathon set was one for the Gaels at the service line and at the net, with Saint Mary's recording seven aces in the frame, including three each from Antonie Kelnarova and Caroline Formankova, and six blocks, four coming off the hands of Ava Galvan.
Driven by the momentum of taking set one, the Gaels played a dominant second set, taking a 3-2 lead early and never relinquishing it, en route to a 25-19 victory. Saint Mary's fed their star, Antonie Kelnarova with 11 of 29 sets in the frame, and she rewarded that decision with seven kills and a 0.455 clip, while adding two more aces to her tally, bringing her total to five for the evening.
Late in set three, the Gaels found themselves behind, 18-14, staring down a potential fourth set. Saint Mary's mounted a bit of comeback effort, as a Nevada service error would push the Gaels back within one at 20-19. Enter the Queen of Aces, Antonie Kelnarova. The outside hitter stepped up to the service line with five aces already on the evening. She closed out the match with six straight, earning the Gaels the 3-0 sweep, and setting a new program record with 11 aces on the night.
GAME NOTES
The Gaels will close out the Sac State Invitational by taking on the host Hornets at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Don't miss a second of Saint Mary's Volleyball action in 2026! Tickets are on sale here!
#GaelsRise
HOW IT HAPPENED
While this match would seem like a lopsided affair, the first set was anything but, with the Gaels outlasting the Wolf Pack in bonus volleyball, 31-29. Saint Mary's jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, but the Wolf Pack bounced back in the latter parts of the frame, taking their first lead at 17-16. That deficit would balloon all the way up to four points for the Gaels before they began to claw back into things. After Nevada took a 23-21 lead, the Gaels would be gifted a sideout on a service error, and then rattled off three straight points to serve for the set at 24-23. Back-and-forth, however the two sides would trade sideouts until Hadlee Gray and Anaya Thrower would pair up for a set ending block at 31-29. The epic, marathon set was one for the Gaels at the service line and at the net, with Saint Mary's recording seven aces in the frame, including three each from Antonie Kelnarova and Caroline Formankova, and six blocks, four coming off the hands of Ava Galvan.
Driven by the momentum of taking set one, the Gaels played a dominant second set, taking a 3-2 lead early and never relinquishing it, en route to a 25-19 victory. Saint Mary's fed their star, Antonie Kelnarova with 11 of 29 sets in the frame, and she rewarded that decision with seven kills and a 0.455 clip, while adding two more aces to her tally, bringing her total to five for the evening.
Late in set three, the Gaels found themselves behind, 18-14, staring down a potential fourth set. Saint Mary's mounted a bit of comeback effort, as a Nevada service error would push the Gaels back within one at 20-19. Enter the Queen of Aces, Antonie Kelnarova. The outside hitter stepped up to the service line with five aces already on the evening. She closed out the match with six straight, earning the Gaels the 3-0 sweep, and setting a new program record with 11 aces on the night.
GAME NOTES
- Gaels' serving was the story tonight, as Saint Mary's set a new team program record, with 20 aces in the match. The previous record was 19 aces, set in a five set match on Oct. 20, 2021 at Portland.
- Leading the charge at the service line was Antonie Kelnarova, who made history on her own with 11 aces, besting the previous record of eight, owned by Christina Kirk (Nov. 11, 2005 vs. Portland) and Rebecca Gehlke (Nov. 20, 1995 vs. Wyoming).
- Kelnarova added 11 kills and 11 digs as well for the first triple-double in program history.
- While Kelnarova stole the headlines today, fellow Czechia native Caroline Formankova also put up a strong performance, with a career-high six aces and 12 digs.
- For the third time in five matches, the Gaels reached double-digit blocks, with 10 in the three setter, their most in three sets since record 10 against Gonzaga on Oct. 10, 2024.
- Leading the blocking efforts was Ava Galvan, with a career-best five.
The Gaels will close out the Sac State Invitational by taking on the host Hornets at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Don't miss a second of Saint Mary's Volleyball action in 2026! Tickets are on sale here!
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
SMC
Nevada
Kills
33
18
Errors
28
18
Attempts
105
89
Hitting %
.048
.000
Points
63.0
38.0
Assists
30
17
Aces
20
7
Blocks
10
13
Game Leaders
Kills
11
Aces
11
Blocks
3
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
3
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Friday, September 04
Thursday, September 03
Monday, August 31
Sunday, August 30
