Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Loyola will compete at next weekend's Millsaps Invitational, starting with a 3 p.m. match against Dillard.
HOUSTON – Closing out the University of St. Thomas Labor Day Tournament, the Loyola University New Orleans Volleyball team shut out Fisk University 3-0 before falling to host St. Thomas 1-3 on Sunday in Houston.
In their third match of the tournament, the Wolf Pack (4-4) took on Fisk University, jumping out to a quick one set lead with a 25-13 defeat. Trailing early in the second set, Loyola battled back and won by four, 25-21 before carrying their momentum into the third set to take the win in straight sets.
Then in the final match of the tournament, Loyola took on host school St. Thomas, who had been undefeated in the weekend thus far. The Celts started strong, winning the first set 25-16. St. Thomas would also take the second set 25-21, though the Wolf Pack held a late 18-17 lead during the period.
Carrying momentum from the second frame, the Pack jumped out to an 11-3 lead at the start of the third. St. Thomas would even the score later on, but Loyola pulled away at the end to take the set 25-22. The host Celts would remain undefeated in the tournament, however, taking the fourth set 25-16 to win the match 3-1.
The Wolf Pack will travel to Jackson, Miss., to compete in the Millsaps Invitational next weekend, starting with a 3 p.m. match against Dillard on Friday, September 7.
"It was a great to start the day off on a strong win. Champagne Cunningham came out and had a great performance. To go without an error and get that many kills is incredible. You don't see .786 hitting percentages often."
"In the last match, we hit well but really needed our defense to be stronger. UST is a solid team with some great talent. We were the only team to take a set from them all weekend. Tylar Beckham and Malea Howie put up some great offensive numbers for us and we got to see Bella Clayton come alive with a few block assists and kills against UST's best outside at some pivotal moments."
Pack Facts
Cunningham racked up a career-high 11 kills on a .786 hitting percentage with no errors.
Beckham and Howie each put up double-digit kills in the match against UST.
Sunni Blanchard and Maddie Huekels each logged over 30 total assists for the second-straight day in the tournament.
Huekels also registered 25 or more assists for the third time this season.
Jordan Bernard notched her third double-double of the season after 14 kills and 10 digs in the match against St. Thomas.
Loyola is now 2-0 against Fisk University, also earning a 3-0 victory against the Lady Bulldogs in the schools' first matchup in 2017.
