MORAGA, Calif. — Santa Clara volleyball got out to a strong start in its season finale match, taking the first set on the road, but Saint Mary's claimed the next three sets to win contest. The Gaels defeated the Broncos 20-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-22 in the West Coast Conference matchup at McKeon Pavilion.
Allison Kantor led the Broncos (6-24, 1-17 WCC) with a 13-kill, 11-dig double-double. She was one of five SCU players to record 11-plus digs; Michelle Gajdka had 13 to pace Santa Clara. Liliana Light closed out her freshman campaign with a 25-assist, 12-dig double-double and Alexa Dreyer led Santa Clara with four blocks.
Sarah Chase led all players with a 15-kill, 15-dig double-double and hit .353 for the Gaels (19-9, 11-7). Chase also racked up a match-best five aces.
Kantor hit .875 and had seven kills to help the Broncos win the first set. She produced three straight kills as part of a 4-0 run that put Santa Clara ahead 19-15 and combined with Dreyer on a block to spark a 4-0 run that put Santa Clara on set point at 24-18. The Broncos hit .368 in the first frame.
Saint Mary's answered by winning the second set decisively. The Gaels went on a 3-0 run to take a 14-10 lead and rolled that momentum into an 11-4 spree to close out the set. In the third, they used a 13-3 run to take command for a 17-9 lead, including three Chase aces in a five-point stretch.
The Gaels created separation late in the fourth set by having four players produce a kill in a 6-1 stretch to claim a 20-14 advantage. The Broncos cut the deficit to as few as two points, but the Gaels maintained the edge and secured the match win on Kantor's attack error.
Taylor Odom produced four kills and two blocks in her final match as a Bronco. Tatiana San Juan, the lone true senior on the 2018 roster, did not play.
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