LAMORINDA WEEKLY | SMC Volleyball Perfect in League


Kapua Kamana'o (14) Photo Tod Fierner

Volleyball in the West Coast Conference (WCC) is a roller coaster ride of competition. The level of play is so elevated that on any given day, any team has a chance to win. Last year the conference sent five teams to the NCAA post season tournament, the highest percentage of any other conference in the nation. This year three teams are receiving votes in the national polls.

Saint Mary's women's volleyball has managed to avoid the drops on this ride thus far. The Gael's remain perfect in WCC play, 4-0, and are climbing the national polls. The team is currently ranked #29 in the CSTV/AVCA Coaches poll. The Gaels are 12-3 overall with their only losses coming from #7 Stanford and two from #15 California.

Saint Mary's greatest strength is the fact that every player has the ability to rise to the occasion and lead the team. Head coach Rob Browning said, "We have a lot of weapons and on any given night, two or three girls can win it for us." Saint Mary's returned all four of its players who garnered WCC honors last year; first team: senior middle blocker Megan Burton, junior setter Kapua Kamana'o, junior middle blocker Shannon Lowell; all freshman: Chanteal Satele. Outside hitter Megan York, 2007-2008 co-freshman of the year, is also continuing to make an impact.

In addition to their returning players, the Gael's have added two key freshman, outside hitter Lauren Corp and setter Missy White. Corp is leading the team in kills for the season and White is second in assists.

Last week Saint Mary's knocked off Bay Area rivals Santa Clara University and the University of San Francisco. The Broncos (10-6, 01) proved a challenge for Saint Mary's as the Gael's needed five sets to secure the win in their match-up on Thursday, October 8th. Senior outside hitter Lauren Jaeckel stepped up for the Gaels. Jaeckel led the team in 17 kills on the evening, three of which came in succession at a key moment in the final set giving the Gaels the lead.

The University of San Francisco was no match for Saint Mary's on Saturday, October 10th. The Gaels defeated the Dons in a sweep at their Dig Pink fundraiser. Saint Mary's recorded 66 digs in the match and raised over $2,500 for the Sideout foundation. Many fans came from the surrounding community to support the cause by sporting pink. Browning said, "It's such a great event-everyone has been affected somehow by breast cancer or knows someone directly or indirectly...the nice thing about this event is that it gets people out to a match that they don't normally get to because they want to support the campaign against breast cancer."

Saint Mary's travels to take on #24-ranked University of San Diego (11-4, 3-1) on Saturday, October 17th.