Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 The Wolf Pack traveled to Jackson, Mississippi, and earned a win over LeTourneau University while falling to Millsaps College
JACKSON, Miss. – The Loyola Wolf Pack played two NCAA Division III opponents Saturday, as they split two games against LeTourneau University and Millsaps College.
The Pack started the day with a four-set win (25-16, 18-25, 25-21, 30-28) over LeTourneau before dropping a four-set match (21-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-12) to host Millsaps College. Loyola is now 15-17 overall and remain 7-4 in Southern States Athletic Conference play with two conference matches - three overall - to go in the regular season.
Saturday marked the final two road games of the regular season for Loyola, as it'll play three home matches over the next week in preparation of the SSAC tournament later this month. First, the Wolf Pack will welcome crosstown rival Xavier on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. contest before two home matches against Middle Georgia State and Brewton-Parker next Friday and Saturday.
"I think we got off to a great start against Letourneau. We battled with them and our hitters really did a fantastic job of finding the court. Malea Howie and Isabella Clayton really produced for us. Millsaps also gave us a tough match. Unfortunately, it seemed like we just ran out of gas.
"Helene Masone, Sunni Blanchard and Gracie Bailey made some great plays on defense, but we just had a hard time putting the ball away against the Majors. These matches were great tune-up matches for us, and we expect the Xavier match on Tuesday to be just as tough and one that will help us close out the regular season strong. We're ready to face them again after seeing them really early on in our season.
"We're continuing to grow and build on our recent success, and that's all we can ask for as we get closer to the conference tournament."
Pack Facts
Malea Howie move multiple spots in Loyola's record book Saturday.
Howie moved two spots in the kills leader category after recording 26 kills in the two matches. She moved to seventh overall in the program with 1,164 career kills.
Additionally, Howie moved up three spots in another category. The senior had 81 total attacks in the two matches, and that allowed her to from eighth to fifth with 3,655.
Finally, Howie played in her 146th career match Saturday, and she's now fourth in the program.
While it didn't move her into the Top 10 in career aces, Howie had three against LeTourneau and three more in the next match, as she surpassed the 100-service ace mark with 105 currently.
Sunni Blanchard also improved her status in Loyola's record books, as she played her 143 career match. She's now one spot behind Howie at fifth.
Not to be out done, libero Helene Masone entered the Top 10 in Loyola's record books with 1,304 career digs. She's now ninth in that category, and she's within striking distance to move up a few spots.
Gracie Bailey tallied her fifth straight double-double Saturday. She now has 10 double-doubles this season.
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.
