Santa Clara University’s women’s volleyball team secured its seventh consecutive victory by defeating Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in a five-set match on Thursday. This marks the Broncos’ longest winning streak since 2016 and improves their record to 10-3 in West Coast Conference play, their highest number of conference wins since 2019.
The match began with LMU taking an early lead and winning the first set 25-15. Santa Clara responded by starting strong in the second set but faced a late challenge from LMU before closing out the set 27-25 with back-to-back kills from Grace Flanagan. In the third set, LMU regained momentum, securing it 25-16 after a series of unanswered points.
Santa Clara forced a fifth set by winning the fourth 25-17, highlighted by key plays from Cate Shanahan and late scoring runs. In the decisive final set, the Broncos overcame an early deficit with an 11-point run and clinched the win at 15-10.
Cate Shanahan led Santa Clara with 18 kills, marking her seventeenth game this season with double-digit kills. Grace Flanagan achieved a career-high with 15 kills, her sixth double-digit performance of the year. Morgan Hayes contributed 16 kills, just one short of her personal best. Macy Hinshaw posted a double-double with 42 assists and a career-high 23 digs. Lexi Trapani added nine games this season with at least 20 digs and recorded a career-best five service aces.
The Broncos’ current seven-game win streak is their longest since they started the 2016 season with eight straight victories. The team now holds its most WCC wins since their ten-win campaign in 2019 and has improved to six wins in ten five-set matches this season, including four consecutive five-set victories.
Santa Clara will continue its road trip on Saturday with a rematch against Pepperdine in Malibu.
