SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The 2019 season opener did not go the way the Saints had envisioned, falling in straight sets to Cal State San Marcos, 25-21, 25-22, 25-19 on Thursday morning.
 
Starting with an almost entirely new roster, newcomers Mackenzie Carter and Gracie Brenner proved to be bright spots of the Saints. Carter ended the match with a team leading nine kills, along with four block assists, three digs, and 12 points. Brenner added seven kills, with zero attacking errors, and a game high .375 hitting percentage.
 
In the opening set, the Saints and the Cougars looked even matched, with the score remaining tied until 9-9. San Marcos was able to pull away and take the set with a 9-3 run in the middle of the set.
 
The second set began identically to the first, with a close score in the start, followed by a San Marcos run in the middle. Saint Martin's managed to trim the score to within two in the final points; however, San Marcos squeezed out with the 25-22 victory.
 
An early 11-5 start for the Cougars provided San Marcos with enough to hold off the Saints' attempt at taking the final set. The Saints led as late as 18-16 following an impressive 9-1 run, but a reverse 9-1 run by San Marcos sealed the 3-0 victory.
 
"San Marcos is a very solid team with a special libero," said head coach Jon Killingbeck. "On our side of the net, we had some good fight as a team. We passed solid but our offense was late showing up in the match."
 
Bridgette Bourgouin finished the match with four kills and four block assists for seven points. Kylie Alos led the way in digs with 12, and service aces with three. Emily Kinsley-DeLeon and Alyssa Bartlett combined for 20 assists at the setter position.
 
The Saints take on Western New Mexico later in the day, with first serve set for 4:00 p.m. Live stats and video will be available on smusaints.com.