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SPOKANE, Wash.--Despite falling behind by a set late in the match, the Gonzaga volleyball team rallied for a 3-2 win (26-24, 16-25, 23-25, 25-20, 15-13) over Saint Mary's Thursday night to open the West Coast Conference season inside the Martin Centre.

During the comeback win, sophomore Jenna Kuehn posted Gonzaga's first triple-double during the rally-scoring era, tallying 23 assists, 15 kills, and 10 digs. Those 15 kills were a career high, and they came on 31 swings for a .419 attack percentage, her highest of the season when attempting more than five attacks. She also became the first WCC player to notch a triple-double this year.

Down 2-1 entering the fourth, the Zags grabbed momentum by winning the frame's first eight points. They jumped out to an 11-2 advantage in the next five points and held on for the 25-20 set victory.

In the fifth, Saint Mary's used an early run to take a four-point lead at 4-8, but the Zags countered with a 7-1 run of their own, taking command at 11-9. The Gaels re-tied the period at 12-all, but Kuehn landed two consecutive kills to give the Zags match point, and freshman Chapin Gray finished it two plays later for the Zags' second five-set victory of the season.

"It was great for our team to pull all the way through in a conference match," said Gonzaga head coach Diane Nelson. "Our ability to not have our lows be so low but keep our highs as high, that will help going forward. Being able to come out in set four and do that, they got their confidence back. When you give this team confidence, they're tough to stop."

Even with Kuehn's triple-double, the Zags were well-rounded Thursday night as four different players reached double-digits in kills, two in assists, and four in digs. Kuehn led the way offensively with 15 kills, and junior Faith Smith dished out 26 assists, also posting a double-double with 15 digs. Junior Tiyana Hallums led the team in that category, adding 19.

After returning to the starting lineup, sophomore Payton Mack had a strong match, leading the Bulldogs with a .421 attack percentage. She tallied 11 kills and six blocks, both career highs.

The Zags (6-7, 1-0 WCC) wrap up the conference-opening homestand on Saturday, Sept. 23 against Pacific. That match will begin at 12:00 p.m., again at the Martin Centre.