Box Score The Wolf Pack come out strong in the first set with a win, but drop the next three
NEW ORLEANS – Playing in their third conference match in five days, the Loyola University New Orleans volleyball team dropped a tough 3-1 game against Mobile Tuesday night in The Den.
The Wolf Pack (10-8, 2-3) opened tonight's match strong, taking an early 10-7 lead behind great blocking from Tylar Beckham, Champagne Cunningham and Maddie Huekels. Loyola would continue to build upon their lead, claiming set one by 10 to go up 1-0.
In the second set, each team went back-and-forth after trading runs, with the score opening up at 13-all. Mobile (13-4, 4-0) would pull out in front however, taking a tight set 25-21. The Rams continued their momentum from set two into the third and fourth, taking the final two by a score of 25-16 and 25-15 respectively.
The Wolf Pack will head back on the road this weekend, playing in a doubleheader this Saturday, September 29th, opening with Florida College at 11 a.m. followed by Florida International at 1 p.m.
"We've had three tough matches to start off at home this season, and we knew this one would be one of the toughest. We made a very specific game plan and the girls showed up in the first set. It's been a couple of years since this program has taken a set from Mobile, especially by that large of a margin."
"We carried some of that momentum into the second set, but just couldn't hold on throughout the rest of the match. Malea Howie was strong offensively for us and served phenomenally tonight. As always, we'll get back into practice and use what we learned tonight to prepare for our next match this weekend in Florida, and we'll be looking forward to seeing Mobile again in three weeks."
Pack Facts
This was the third-straight game in which Tylar Beckham had five or more blocks, and the seventh such game this season.
Malea Howie logged double-digit kills for the ninth time this season. The junior is averaging a career-best 2.52 kills per game.
Champagne Cunningham matched her career high with five blocks.
Sunni Blanchard and Maddie Huekels each had 10 or more assists in the same game for the 13th time this season.
Gabriela Martinez set a career best with eight kills.
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.
