SPOKANE, Wash. – The Gonzaga volleyball team fell in four sets (25-21, 17-25, 22-25, 20-25) to visiting Santa Clara Saturday afternoon inside the Martin Centre. The loss snapped Gonzaga's four-match win streak, delivering the Bulldogs' 11th West Coast Conference loss.

"We know our capabilities, and today we had moments of greatness," head volleyball coach Diane Nelson said. "This team keeps growing and getting better. Back to work on Monday."
 
Gonzaga (10-17, 4-11 WCC) was led by Sarah Penner with 14 kills and 12 digs to go along with two blocks. Kennedy Croft also posted a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs, while Jenna Kuehn was just shy of a double-double with 34 assists and nine digs. The Eugene, Ore., native also added three kills hitting .300.
 
The Bulldogs started off strong with a 25-21 first-set win. The first set featured seven ties and five lead changes, the most of any set of the match. With the set tied 13 all, a kill from Penner ignited a 6-0 run to give Gonzaga a six-point lead (19-13). The Broncos responded with a quick 3-1 run of their own to cut GU's lead in half. However, kills from Penner, Katelyn Oppio and Croft coupled with a Bronco error gave the Zags the final push toward the 25-21 first set win.
 
In the second set, the score was close once more with four ties and two lead changes in the first half of the set. Midway through, Gonzaga trailed by just one point, 16-15. But four kills from SCU's Julia Sangiacomo in addition to a Bulldog hitting error put Santa Clara (18-10, 8-7 WCC) in front by six. GU was unable to close the gap and dropped the second set 25-17.
 
Gonzaga's serve and pass struggled in the third and fourth sets as the Zags finished with nine service errors and six receiving errors. That proved to be the difference in the final two sets as Santa Clara earned the 25-22 and 25-20 third and fourth set victories for the 3-1 match win.
 
Santa Clara was led by Julia Sangiacomo with a match-high 18 kills hitting .294 with 15 digs and four blocks. Michelle Gajdka added 17 kills and eight digs, while Kathryn Decker finished with 16 kills and 16 digs. Gretchen Reinert added a match-high 24 digs, while Michelle Shaffer finished with a match-high 48 assists.
 
Gonzaga hits the road for its final conference road swing as it travels to No. 24San Diego on Nov. 21 and No. 10 BYU on Nov. 23. Live stream and live stat information will be available at GoZags.com.