MORAGA, Calif. \u2014 Saint Mary’s Volleyball began the second half of conference play on Saturday, falling to the San Diego Toreros in three sets. The Gaels will now enter their bye week in WCC play, and will have a full week to regroup before next taking on Pacific on Halloween.\u00a0<\/p>\n
HOW IT HAPPENED Set two had the makings of being just as tight, with the two sides splitting the first six points, however, a 9-2 USD run would charge them all the way to a 25-13 set two win. Kelnarova had three more kills to go along with four digs in the second frame, but couldn’t rally her troops back from an early deficit.\u00a0<\/p>\n San Diego continued with momentum in the third building a 20-11 lead. The Gaels remained steadfast in their resolve, cutting the deficit to six late, but that was as close as they would get, falling 25-17. Kelnarova and Anaya Thrower<\/a> came to life offensively late, with a combined seven kills without an error, as Thrower finished the match out error-less.\u00a0<\/p>\n GAME NOTES
QUOTABLE<\/p>\n UP NEXT
\nBoth teams came out firing in the first set, with the Gaels hitting a strong 0.273 and the Toreros hitting an astonishing 0.424. As such, the two sides found themselves deadlocked at 20 apiece before San Diego closed out the set on a 4-1 run to go ahead 1-0. Layne Dent<\/a> and Antonie Kelnarova<\/a> combined for eight of the Gaels’ 13 set one kills, while Alayna Pearson<\/a> had four of their nine digs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n\tAntonie Kelnarova<\/a> came up with a team-high 11 kills, bringing her weekend total to 37, her most in a two match week this season.\u00a0
\n\tLayne Dent<\/a> added nine kills, surpassing 250 for her career while Anaya Thrower<\/a> had six on 12 swings without an error to hit at a 0.500 clip.\u00a0
\n\tThis was the first time this year that Thrower has hit 0.500 or better (min. five kills).\u00a0
\n\tAlayna Pearson<\/a> led the team with seven digs and added the Gaels’ lone service ace.\u00a0
\n\tA trio of other players (Sadie White<\/a>, Mikayla Haner<\/a> and Antonie Kelnarova<\/a>) had five digs, with White leading the team with 25 assists.
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\nThe Gaels will enter their bye week, not taking the court again until Saturday, October 31, when they host Pacific. First serve for the Halloween clash is set for 2 p.m. Get your tickets at smcgaels.com\/tickets<\/a> or stream the match live on ESPN+.<\/p>\n