SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara volleyball earned a split in its home-and-home series with Saint Mary's by posting a 16-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-20 victory on Friday.

Julia Sangiacomo delivered a double-double with 19 kills on a .341 attack percentage and 14 digs, and Sophia Tulino chipped in 13 kills for the Broncos in the West Coast Conference outing.

Michelle Shaffer was just shy of a double-double with 10 kills and nine digs for Santa Clara (4-6, 4-6) which outhit the Gaels .260 to .190 in the match.

Elena Baka (12 kills) and Hawley Harrer (11 kills) led a balanced offensive attack for the Gaels (7-8, 7-8) who had won six of their last seven matches, including Thursday's 3-1 home victory over the Broncos.

After evening the match at one set apiece, Santa Clara was able to snag the third which featured 10 ties and seven lead changes.

The Broncos led 22-17, but the Gaels scored four straight capped by a kill from Baka.

Sangiacomo answered with a kill and Tulino added one of her own for a 24-22 lead. The Broncos finished off the set thanks to a service error from the Gaels.

Santa Clara's momentum carried into the fourth set where the Broncos scored the first six points on the way to a 20-12 lead.

But the Gaels stormed back within 22-20 with Baka posting three kills in a 5-1 spurt.

However, Liliana Light, who had 49 assists, set up Shaffer and Sangiacomo for back-to-back kills and an attack error for the Gaels ended the match.

Chandler Cowell and Jennifer Laird each had six kills for the Gaels.

Sangiacomo four of Santa Clara's eight service aces. The Broncos did commit 15 service errors.

Saint Mary's outhit Santa Clara .367 to .172 in claiming the opening set, but in the final three frames the Broncos held a .282 to .140 advantage.

HIGHLIGHTS | Check out the best action from Friday's victory over Saint Mary's!#StampedeTogether #SCUBroncos pic.twitter.com/O0jkR4YQam

— Santa Clara Volleyball (@scuvolleyball) March 20, 2021

NOTES
• Santa Clara leads the all-time series 54-27. The Broncos won both meetings in 2019, but teams have split the last 10 meetings.
• Julia Sangiacomo's 19 kills were her third-highest total of the season. She had a career-best 27 vs. Portland (March 8) and 21 at Gonzaga (March 12). Her 14 digs were second most this season (17 vs. the Pilots on March 8).
• Sophia Tulino (13) has recorded double-digit kills in all 10 matches this season.
• Liliana Light's 49 assists were the second-highest total of her career (54 vs. Grand Canyon, Aug. 25, 2018).
• Elena Radeff saw her first significant action of the season and produced five kills on a .364 attack percentage and three blocks. The freshman only appeared in one other match, posting one kill at Gonzaga (March 13).

��️ Hear from @Coach_ELindsey on tonight's victory over Saint Mary's!

Postmatch interview presented by @ROATweets.#StampedeTogether #SCUBroncos pic.twitter.com/KCnEoKhXNT

— Santa Clara Volleyball (@scuvolleyball) March 20, 2021

NEXT UP
The Broncos will play at Loyola Marymount on Sunday and Monday. Start time is 3 p.m. both days.

CONNECT WITH THE BRONCOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Athletics: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Snapchat
Volleyball: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

GO BRONCOS!