Box Score After winning the first set, Martin Methodist squeaks out the final three games to start pool play
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Loyola Wolf Pack played their first of three pool-play games at the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament Thursday, dropping a close four-set match to top-seeded Martin Methodist 14-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22.
Loyola will play two more games on Friday starting at 10 a.m. against William Carey. The second match of the day is set for 3 p.m. against Blue Mountain. The Top 2 teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals Saturday.
The Wolf Pack began the match with a quick lead in the opening game, and eventually won 25-14. Loyola jumped up 6-2 thanks to three kills by Malea Howie and two from Isabella Clayton. The lead swelled to 12-4 then 16-8 before Martin Methodist cut it to 17-12. Casey Aucoin recorded two or her three kills down the stretch to close out the set.
Howie and Brittany Cooper each had four kills in the first set, and Clayton and Aucoin tallied three each.
The second set was significantly closer than the first, as Martin Methodist won 25-21. After Loyola grabbed an early 4-2 lead, the set was either tied or RedHawks held a slight advantage for the rest of the game. The set was tied three times midway through, but the RedHawks pushed ahead 22-18 to provide enough separation.
Martin Methodist took a 2-1 match lead after a 25-22 second-set win. Neither team could take a lead more than three points until the RedHawk grabbed a 16-12 lead. The set featured nine ties leading up to that, too. Trailing 19-13, Loyola battled back to cut the lead to 23-21, but Martin Methodist finished off the set by scoring two of the next three points.
The two teams played another tight set in the fourth, but the RedHawks claimed the match with another 25-22 win. The Wolf Pack fell behind early but they battled back to tie the game at 7-7. Loyola and Martin Methodist would share five more ties before the RedHawks took the lead for good.
"We started off really strong but also expected Martin Methodist to pick it up a bit as the match went on. Defensively, we did really well. Helene Masone owned the backcourt with her 29-dig performance. Our setters did a great job of spreading the ball to our hitters, but we just had a few moments where we couldn't place it well enough to get kills.
"Brittany Cooper had a great performance today both offensively and defensively. The girls never gave up and they kept on fighting. Now we turn our attention to William Carey and Blue Mountain. We'll refocus tonight and get after it tomorrow morning."
Pack Facts
Four members of the Wolf Pack recorded double-digit digs: Helene Masone with a season-high 29, Brittany Cooper with 24, Gracie Bailey with 20, and Sunni Blanchard with 11.
In total, the team combined for 110 digs, which marks the highest dig total all season.
Cooper notched her team-leading 13th double-double of the season, adding 11 kills to lead the team on Thursday.
Bailey and Blanchard, with 16 assists and 21 assists, respectively, each also logged double-doubles. It's the seventh time this season where both Loyola setters have had double-doubles in the same match.
SSAC Tournament Schedule
Pool Play Day 1 | Nov. 14
Court 1 | Pool A
11 a.m. | No. 1 Martin Methodist 3, No. 5 Loyola 1
1:30 p.m. | No. 4 William Carey 3, No. 8 Blue Mountain 0
Court 2 | Pool B
11 a.m. | No. 2 Bethel 3, No. 6 Florida College 2
1:30 p.m. | No. 7 Faulkner 3, No. 3 Mobile 0
Pool Play Day 2 | Nov. 15
Court 1 | Pool A
10 a.m. | No. 5 Loyola v. No. 4 William Carey
12:30 p.m. | No. 1 Martin Methodist v. No. 8 Blue Mountain
3 p.m. | No. 5 Loyola v. No. 8 Blue Mountain
5 p.m. | No. 1 Martin Methodist v. No. 4 William Carey
Court 2 | Pool B
10 a.m. | No. 6 Florida v. No. 3 Mobile
12:30 p.m. | No. 7 Faulkner v. No. 2 Bethel
3 p.m. | No. 7 Faulkner v. No. 6 Florida
5 p.m. | No. 3 Mobile v. No. 2 Bethel
Semifinals | Nov. 16
Court 1
10 a.m. | Pool A 1 v. Pool B 2
Court 2
10 a.m. | Pool A 2 v. Pool B 1
Championship | Nov. 16
Court 1
2 p.m. | Championship
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