MORAGA, Calif. – In what proved to be the closest and most intense match so far this year, the Nevada volleyball team fell to Saint Mary's in five sets, 21-15, 26-24, 23-25, 25-22 and 15-13. The Pack moves to 7-3 overall on season.
 
Three Nevada players recorded double-doubles. Junior Jamila Minor had 19 kills with 10 digs, sophomore Kayla Afoa marked 19 kills with 10 digs and junior setter Dalyn Burns notched 46 assists with 14 digs. This marks Afoa's seventh and Dalyn's sixth on the season.
 
Redshirt freshman Hailey Maniglia had a huge defensive night with five block assists and one block solo for her name while the team combined for eight total.
 
In the first set, the two teams went back-and-forth initially but the Gaels extended the lead, 16-11, the Pack tried to rally late and got within one point, 19-18 but ultimately the Saint Mary's offense took the first set, 25-21.
 
Nevada came out strong in the second set, putting up the first two points and holding on to the lead until Saint Mary's took the upperhand, 15-10. With the score 24-21, in favor of the Gaels, the Nevada defense needed to step up but instead the offense took over and won the second set on a five-point scoring run.
 
The third and fourth sets were equally as intense. Saint Mary's won the third with eight tie scores and Nevada claimed the fourth set, 25-22.
 
The Pack jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the fifth set and at the switch Nevada was leading 8-3. A kill from Minor kept the five-point difference, 10-5, but Lindsey Knudsen from Saint Mary's recorded four of the final five kills to take the set and the match, 3-2.
 
The Pack continues the road swing at University of the Pacific on Saturday, Sept. 15 for a noon match in Stockton, Calif. to wrap up the preseason.
Nevada opens conference play in the Virginia Street Gym when they host the Rams of Colorado State on Thursday, Sept 20 at 6:30 p.m. PT. Tickets are now on sale at NevadaWolfPack.com.