Box Score After dropping the first set, Loyola wins next three to claim first-ever win over the Lady Falcons
NEW ORLEANS – After playing their first 14 matches of the season away from The Den, the Loyola Wolf Pack started their conference schedule with a four-set home win (18-25, 25-14, 25-21, 25-22) over the Florida College Lady Falcons.
Loyola moved its overall record to 6-9 to go along with its 1-0 Southern States Athletic Conference record.
The first set featured a tight back-and-forth affair early, but the Lady Falcons were able to create a little separation to win 25-18. The teams shared the lead three times before Florida College took a 7-6 advantage. While Florida College never relinquished the lead after the three ties, The Wolf Pack hung tough to stay within striking distance the entire set.
The Wolf Pack responded with an impressive second set, evening the match with a 25-14 win. The two started the set by sharing a few early points, but the Wolf Pack scored 10 of the next 15 points to take command of the equalizing set. Senior Malea Howie recorded three of her game-high six aces in the second set, too.
Florida College appeared to grab control of the match in the third set, but the Wolf Pack didn't give up. Trailing 11-4 early, Loyola battled back to get within striking distance, then it used a 7-0 run to take the lead for good. Loyola would go on to win the set 25-21 to take the 2-1 match lead.
Once again, the Lady Falcons saw early success in another set, this time taking a quick 7-4 lead. The Wolf Pack, however, righted the ship for the second straight set to tie the fourth 13-13.
A short 5-0 run pushed the Wolf Pack's lead to 21-16, then they held on during a late Florida College rally to claim the match.
Loyola is back in action Tuesday in The Den against the University of Mobile. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
"First home win of the season, first conference win of the season, first win against Florida College. Resiliency and competitiveness are just two of our team's core values that we want to see in these matches, and this group showed every bit of that today. They stepped on the court ready to do whatever it would take to stay in the game, regardless of the score, and win.
"Gracie (Bailey) and Sunni (Blanchard) both did a phenomenal job of running the offense and they both picked up some great digs to keep us alive in rallies. Brittany (Cooper), Gaby (Martinez), Champagne (Cunningham) and Malea (Howie) were all strong offensively (Saturday) and just did a great job of finding the court.
"The third set was make or break for us and our team did not let up. A very timely kill by Bella Clayton followed by incredible service runs by Gracie and Malea got us back in it and helped us save that set. We are so proud of this group's determination and will to win."
Pack Facts
Saturday's win was Brittany Cooper's sixth double-double of the season, as she recorded 18 kills and 13 digs. She now has three consecutive games with a double-double, and Saturday was also her career-high in kills and she tied her career-high in digs.
Gracie Bailey totaled double-digit digs Saturday for the third time this season, and her 15 against Florida College was a career-high. She also had a career-high 22 assists, which allowed her to capture her third double-double of the season. Bailey has now recorded a double-double in consecutive matches.
Sunni Blanchard has tallied double-digit assists in 13 of Loyola's 15 games this season, and her 19 assists Saturday was one assist away from tying her season-high. She also recorded her third double-double of the season with 11 digs Saturday, and she joins Bailey and Cooper with back-to-back double-doubles.
Malea Howie recorded a season-high 14 kills against Florida College Saturday, and it was the fourth time this season she reached double-digits in kills. To go with her kills, she also had six aces in the match - a season-high.
Gabriela Martinez' seven kills ties her season-high, as she collected seven kills on Aug. 24.
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