Box Score In a tightly contested match with their crosstown rivals, Loyola comes out on losing end
NEW ORLEANS – In their first midweek match of the week, the Loyola University New Orleans volleyball team dropped a close one against Xavier in the Convocation Center Tuesday night.
The home team took the lead early in the first set of the match, with the Pack (8-5) unable to battle back, ultimately falling 25-19. While set number two was similar for Loyola as they fell 25-18, the Pack bounced back strong in set three.
Down 6-0, the Wolf Pack made it a 10-10 set on a kill from senior Maddie Huekels. The two teams would trade points, with the score hitting 18-all before Xavier grabbed a lead they held until the end to claim the match three sets to none.
The Wolf Pack hit the road this weekend to begin their conference schedule, traveling to Brewton-Parker for a Friday match at 6 p.m. before a Saturday game against Middle Georgia State at 2 p.m.
"It just wasn't our night. We couldn't get our offense going consistently and Xavier is a strong, well-coached team that passed well in serve recieve which kept them in rhythm. We made some unfortunate strings of errors that really just put us in some holes we could not dig out of."
"Maddie Huekels and Champagne Cunningham had strong games for us offensively and Helene Masone came up with some great digs that kept us in rallies. We'll be focusing on what we did well and magnifying those things as we begin conference play this weekend."
Pack Facts
This past week's SSAC Setter of the Week, Maddie Huekels recorded 15 assists today and is averaging a career-best 5.51 assists per set.
The senior came into today's match leading the SSAC in service aces, adding three to give her 34 on the year.
Helene Masone recorded 12 digs in today's match and has posted 10 or more digs in 10 of 13 matches played this season.
Freshman Jordan Bernard hit double-digits in digs as well, recording 10 to go with two service aces.
You can keep up with the Pack this season by following Wolf Pack Athletics on Facebook at Facebook.com/LoyolaWolfPack, Twitter and Instagram @LoyolaWolfPack, and by checking out our website at LoyolaWolfPack.com.
