The Sacramento State sand volleyball team opened up its season with a loss on the road against Saint Mary’s College, Wednesday in Moraga, Calif.

The Hornets and Gaels played in five dual matches at the Moraga Commons, and Saint Mary’s won all five. The Gaels won in straight sets in four out of the five matches.

In the No.1 match, Sam Tinsley and Jordan Shaw defeated Kayla Beal and Katie Aprile in straight sets 21-15, 21-5. In the No.2 match, Kristina Graven and Natalie Loos defeated sophomores, Sloan Lovett and Lauren Aikels in straight sets 21-8, 21-14.

In the No.3 match, Sarah Reams and Rachel Gillcrist defeated Morgan Stanley and Madeline Cannon in three sets 23-25, 21-15, 15-11. The freshmen tandem of Stanley and Cannon were the only pair for the Hornets to go three sets.

The Gaels are nationally ranked at No.10 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Sand Volleyball poll.

Sac State only has five returning players from last year’s squad. There are six new players, including five freshmen. Three of the five pairs in today’s matches were new for the Hornets, including Stanley and Cannon, senior Chelcy Motes and freshmen, Lexie Skalbeck, Courtney Dietrich and Kendall LaVine.

Sac State will not play again until April 4 when it hosts a three-day tournament at the Sacramento Softball complex. The Hornets will play five matches three days, opening up with two matches on April 4 against Cal Poly at 3 p.m. and San Francisco at 6 p.m.