Box Score Loyola closes out their regular season in straight sets, picking up their 16th win of the year
NEW ORLEANS – On Saturday's exciting Senior Day in The Den, the Loyola University New Orleans volleyball team defeated William Carey 3-0 in the Southern States Athletic Conference Game of the Week.
Senior Maddie Huekels got the action going with a kill as the Wolf Pack (16-19, 5-11) took a 2-0 lead to start the set. Loyola played efficiently, eventually going up 20-11 to cause the Crusaders (14-18, 8-8) to call a timeout. Carey would rally to decrease the home lead, but the Pack would take the first set 25-21.
In the second frame, the Pack would once again jump out to a 2-0 lead before increasing it to 5-1. The Crusaders would tie the match at 7-all, and the match would remain close until Loyola scored four-straight points to go up 15-11. Carey then went on a 9-2 run to take a 20-17 lead, forcing a home timeout. Facing set point while trailing 24-20, the Pack scored six-straight points to win the period 26-24 and go up 2-0 in the match.
The third set would be the closest of the game, with 17 ties and neither team gaining more than a four-point lead. The Pack found themselves down 26-25, but rallied to score five of the last seven points to win the lengthy final set 30-28 and clinch the match 3-0.
The Wolf Pack now turn their attention to the Southern States Athletic Conference Volleyball Championships, which begin next Wednesday, November 7th in Montgomery, Ala.
"That was a great way to send off our six seniors! Gaby, Malea and Tylar were very smart attacker's today and found every way to score, it was impressive. Sunni and Maddie did a great job of moving the ball around and finding our hot hitters. Today was the perfect time to take William Carey down in three sets. It gives us great momentum going into the conference tournament next week."
Pack Facts
The Wolf Pack entered today's match leading the SSAC in service aces and ranked 13th in the country, and now own 235 on the season.
This was the third game in a row, and fifth of the season, in which both Tylar Beckham and Champagne Cunningham registered four or more blocks.
Malea Howie picked up 13 kills today, her 15th match this season hitting double-digits in the kill column.
Both Maddie Huekels and Sunni Blanchard reached double-digits in assists today, the 26th match in which they each hit that mark.
You can keep up with the Pack by following Wolf Pack Athletics on Facebook at Facebook.com/LoyolaWolfPack, Twitter and Instagram @LoyolaWolfPack, and by checking out our website at LoyolaWolfPack.com.
