MORAGA, Calif. — The Saint Mary’s volleyball team stayed close in all three sets Thursday, led by a strong block up front, but No. 7-ranked San Diego pulled away each time with sound hitting, defeating the Gaels 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-18) in a West Coast Conference match at McKeon Pavilion.
Saint Mary’s (10-14, 5-8 WCC) held leads in all three sets Thursday. The Gaels nearly swung momentum in their favor in set two. SMC led 21-18 late in the set and looked to tie the match at 1-1, but a 7-2 run by San Diego (20-3, 11-1 WCC) fueled by six kills kept the momentum on its side en route to the sweep.