MORAGA, Calif. -- The Gonzaga volleyball team fell in three sets (25-21, 25-17, 25-19) at Saint Mary's Thursday evening at the McKeon Pavilion in Moraga, Calif. 
 
Gonzaga (6-12, 3-4 WCC) was led by Sarah Penner with 14 kills and 10 digs for her third double-double of the season. Faith Smith added a match-high 25 assists and nine digs, while Tiyana Hallums added a team-high 13 digs.
 
In the first set, Saint Mary's (12-5, 4-3 WCC) took the early lead, but a kill from Penner tied the set 1-1 early. There were seven ties and two lead changes early in the set, and a kill from Chapin Gray midway through tied it once more at 8-all. The two squads traded kills until two consecutive Bulldog errors gave Saint Mary's a four-point lead, 15-11. Errors continued to plague the Zags late in the set and three-straight put SMC up by six (19-12). Gonzaga was unable to close the gap and fell 25-21.
 
Gonzaga struggled to terminate in the second set, hitting .100 for 11 kills with eight errors while the Gaels were nearly error-free connecting for 10 kills with just one error to hit .321. A 5-0 SMC run midway through the set put the Zags behind 12-5, and the Gaels continued on for the 25-17 victory.
 
The Bulldogs improved their hitting in the final set, connecting for 11 kills at a .226 clip, but the Gaels hit over .300 for the second consecutive set to power past the Bulldogs. Gonzaga cut SMC's lead to two (20-18) late in the set, but a 5-1 run in favor of the Gaels cemented the 25-19 set win and 3-0 sweep.
 
"Faith and Tiyana came to play, but our defense and setting couldn't win," head volleyball coach Diane Nelson said. "We were not great at the net, and Saint Mary's was."
 
Saint Mary's was led by Sarah Chase and Lindsey Knudsen with 10 kills apiece while Alexsa Parker added 22 assists.
 
Gonzaga continues play Saturday, Oct. 13 at Pacific. The match is set to begin at 12 p.m.