LOS ANGELES- Santa Clara women's volleyball needed all five sets to defeat LMU for their seventh straight victory Thursday, their longest winning streak since 2016. The Broncos fell behind in an early 2-1 deficit but thanks to strong serving and a balanced attack, they kept themselves in the hunt for a WCC championship, improving to 10-3 in conference play, their most WCC wins since 2019.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- A four point rally put LMU (5-18, 3-11) up 11-6 to open set one, and later 21-13. The Lions scored the final three points to take set one, 25-15.
- The Broncos (15-9, 10-3) scored the first four points of set two, and led 7-3 after a kill from Grace Flanagan. LMU cut the lead to one, 17-16, but three straight Bronco points capped off by an ace from Lexi Trapani gave them a 23-19 lead. However, five straight points from the Lions gave them a set point. With their backs against the wall, the Broncos prevailed, scoring four of the next five points, capped off by back-to-back kills from Flanagan to take the set 27-25.
- Four straight Bronco points gave them a 5-1 lead in set three, and later 7-4 after another kill from Flanagan. A kill by Morgan Hayes extended the lead to 12-9, but seven straight LMU points flipped the momentum. The Lions scored the final four points of set three, taking the set 25-16.
- Three straight Bronco points made it 5-1 in a must win set four. LMU tied it up at 9, but a kill from Cate Shanahan extended the lead to 12-9. LMU cut the lead to 20-17 after a kill from Layla Truitt, but the Broncos scored the final five points of the set, taking it 25-17.
- After giving up the first two points of set five, the Broncos scored 11 in a row. LMU cut it down to 13-9 with three straight points, but the Broncos took the win 15-10.
NOTABLE NUMBERS:
- Cate Shanahan led the Broncos with 18 kills, her 17th game of the season in double digits.
- Grace Flanagan had a career high 15 kills, her sixth game this season in double figures.
- Morgan Hayes had 16 kills, one shy of her career high set earlier this season at San Jose state (9/16).
- Macy Hinshaw totaled 42 assists and a career high 23 digs, for her 12th double-double of the season.
- Lexi Trapani had 21 digs, her ninth game this season with 20 or more, adding a career high five service aces.
- The Broncos seven game win streak is their longest streak since opening the 2016 season 8-0.
- The Broncos got their 10th WCC victory tonight, the most since 2019.
- Santa Clara is now 6-4 in five set matches this season, and have won four straight when going to the fifth.
UP NEXT:
The Broncos head down to Malibu for a rematch with Pepperdine on Saturday at Noon.
