SAN ANTONIO -- After dropping the third set, the St. Mary's Volleyball Team responded with a vengeance, scoring the first 13 points of the fourth set en route to the 3-1 victory, 25-19, 25-20, 19-25, 25-14.
The win evens the Rattlers record in Lone Star Conference play to 6-6, moving them into a three-way tie for eighth place with Texas A&M Kingsville and UAFS. They are also 12-7 overall on the year.
Sophomore outside hitters
Julia Aleman (San Antonio) and
Lindsey Ogle (Houston) were two bright spots for the Gold & Blue. Aleman led the match with 13 kills and hit an outstanding .423 (13-2-26), while Ogle was right behind her with 12 kills and hit a match-high .429 (12-3-21).
Senior middle blocker
Rachel McDonald (Indianapolis, Ind.) collected a career-high nine blocks, including a pair of solo stops. The nine blocks ties for the most by a Rattler this season (
Julia Deais) and is the third-most in a four-set match in school history.
Both junior libero
Gabi Sandoval (San Antonio) and senior outside hitter
Alissa Tolbert (San Antonio) posted double digits in digs with 15 and 11, respectively and sophomore setter
Aislan Lennon (Houston) narrowly missed out on a double-double with 20 assists and nine digs.
For the second-straight match, freshman setter
Cali Nims (Corpus Christi, Texas) tied her career-high with four service aces, while Tolbert added three – all coming in the fourth set where she served 12 straight.
The Rattlers remain at home, hosting Cameron on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Aggies were swept by St. Edward's on Friday.
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER & TEAM NOTES
- Rachel McDonald posted a career-high nine blocks, bettering her previous high of eight from a win over Our Lady of the Lake in 2019. Her nine blocks are tied for the most this season with Julia Deais and they are also the third-most in a four-set match in school history.
- Alissa Tolbert recorded her 900th career dig and now has 901.
- Sophomore OH Julia Aleman posted career kill #250 and stands with 251.
- Cali Nims now has 400 assists in her career after posting 15 on the night (407).
- For the ninth time this season, the Rattlers served more aces than errors, garnering eight aces with only five miscues.
- St. Mary's has won four of its last five matches, dropping only three sets in those four victories.
