Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 The Pack didn't drop a set in the second match of the day against Shawnee State.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Loyola University New Orleans was one of 18 volleyball programs at Ephram White Gym to compete at the 2019 Mid-South Conference Challenge tournament on Friday, going 1-1 on the first day of action.
The Wolf Pack (2-4) lost an early match to Campbellsville (2-0), who received votes in the 2019 NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Poll, before winning the nightcap match in straight-sets against Shawnee State (0-2).
Loyola kept it close in the opening frame, leading 16-15 before Campbellsville went on a 10-2 run to capture the first set. The Lady Tigers held momentum for the second set, winning 25-15. The final period was similar to the first, with Loyola holding a 17-15 advantage before the Lady Tigers rallied for a 25-19 set and overall victory in their first match of the season.
The Pack saw much more success in Friday's second match, starting impressively with a 25-20 win in the opening period after being tied at 20-20. The second set favored the Wolf Pack even more strongly, as they came away with a 25-17 victory after a 5-0 run mid-set gave them a lead. The Bears wouldn't be put away quietly, as it was the closest set of the match, but Loyola came away with a 25-23 result in the final frame, earning their second match of the season at 3-0.
The Wolf Pack will wrap up play at the 2019 Mid-South Conference Challenge with a 9:30 a.m. match against Point University and a noon match against No. 9 Lindsey Wilson.
"We saw some really great volleyball from our team today. We started off strong against Campbellsville and just needed to stop a few of their point runs faster than we did. Brittany Cooper and Champagne Cunningham really produced for us offensively. Sunni earned her first double-double of the season running the offense and playing great defense.
Against Shawnee State, our setters really spread the ball well and we saw 5 attackers hitting at or above .200. Any day we can do that, we can win matches. Gracie Bailey connected well with our hitters and scored us some points on setter dumps. We turn around quick and play back-to-back tomorrow morning. We're looking forward to the matchups against two more strong opponents."
Pack Facts
Brittany Cooper led Loyola in both matches in kills, with 10 against Campbellsville and 12 against Shawnee State. Her hitting percentage was over .200 in each match.
Malea Howie added 11 kills against Shawnee State, with an impressive .429 hitting percentage.
Gracie Bailey led the team in assists on the day with 31 through two matches. She led the Pack with a 20-assist performance against the Bears.
With 12 assists in each match, Sunni Blanchard now has reached the double-digit assist mark in five-straight matches. She also had a double-double in the Campbellsville match with 12 digs.
Dallis Brown led Loyola in total digs on Friday, collecting eight in each match.
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.
