Box Score The Lady Bleu Devils rallied to win two sets after the Pack took the opening two, but the visitors regained momentum to claim the deciding period
NEW ORLEANS – The Loyola University New Orleans volleyball team took on cross-town rival Dillard in a road match on Thursday, winning in a tough five-setter.
After claiming the first two sets, the Wolf Pack (4-5) were taken to a deciding set after the Bleu Devils (0-2) rallied to win the next two.
Dillard led early, but Loyola went on two separate six-point runs in the opening period, winning it 25-19. The subsequent set was much closer, with the Pack holding just a one-point advantage at 16-15 before tallying seven straight, claiming the second-set victory at 25-18.
The home team would rally for victories in the following two sets, 27-25 and 25-18, forcing a deciding fifth period.
The Wolf Pack had a strong start to the final frame, opening 3-0 before eventually winning 15-11 to take the match 3-2.
Loyola takes a break from matches this weekend before heading to Nashville, Tenn. to compete at next week's Music City Invitational, which begins September 6 with matches against Milligan College and Georgetown College.
"It's always nice to be on the winning side of a 5-set match. Dillard played some great volleyball and made some great plays. We're really proud of our team for sticking it out and finishing strong. Casey Aucoin really helped us at the service line. She went on some amazing runs and racked up 6 aces for us, and Champagne Cunningham was an effective attacker again tonight. We're still growing in our offensive efficiency as a team, but our setters are doing a great job of spreading the ball to all of our hitters. Dallis and Helene made some great defensive plays. The stat lines tonight really show a full team effort, which is what we needed with the great crowd that Dillard had in the gym. We're off this weekend and get back in the gym next week to prepare for another challenging tournament in Nashville."
Pack Facts
Two of the four Wolf Pack wins thus far in 2019 have come in five sets.
Casey Aucoin had three blocks and six service aces, matching the highest total for a Loyola player this season.
Brittany Cooper led the Pack with a game-high 14 kills, her fifth match this season reaching double figures.
Loyola had three players with double-digit digs, including Dallis Brown (12), Helene Masone (10), and Cooper (11), who notched her second-straight double-double.
Sunni Blanchard was close to another double-double, adding eight digs to her team-leading and season-best 20 assists. Gracie Bailey was right behind her with 18 assists.
Champagne Cunningham recorded eight kills on a .238 hitting percentage, adding a team-high four blocks.
Jordan Bernard had a season-best nine kills, including the game winner.
