MORAGA, Calif. — Despite hot starts to the first and third sets and a hyperefficient performance from grad middle Cara McKenzie, Gonzaga volleyball (7-16, 3-9) fell on the road to Saint Mary's in straight sets (20-25, 11-25, 20-25) Saturday afternoon at the University Credit Union Pavilion.

McKenzie finished with 10 kills and a .533 hitting average to lead the Bulldogs in both categories, with Zoe Thiros and Kennedy Croft adding eight and six kills apiece. Dani Batenhorst served up two of the Zags' three aces without an error, with Keau Kamake'eaina adding the third to go with a team-high 29 assists. Croft also tied with Viktoriya Ivanova for the team lead in digs with seven each, ahead of three other Zags that picked up at least two. 

The Zags held leads in both the first and third sets, hitting a season-high .365 average in the first while posting 16 kills and cracking double-digits again in the third to stave off the Gaels until late surges undid their work. A 9-1 run midway through the first evaporated a four-point lead and changed the complexion of the set completely, and a similar 6-0 run in the third eliminated another four-point lead to give the Gaels control of the decisive final set.

Up Next

The Zags take on two highly-touted opponents in the Martin Centre next week, set to square off with No. 7 BYU (21-1, 11-0) at 6 p.m. Thursday and No. 20 San Diego (15-4, 9-1) at noon Saturday. Check GoZags.com and follow @ZagVolleyball on Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date game time information, live coverage and more.