Box Score The Wolf Pack won the opening set Tuesday at Mobile, but the Rams won the next three games to defeat Loyola in four games
MOBILE, Ala. – The Loyola University New Orleans volleyball team suffered a close four-set loss Tuesday night, falling to Mobile 3-1 (24-26, 25-20, 25-20, 25-21) in a battle of first-place teams in the Southern States Athletic Conference standings. The loss drops the Wolf Pack to 11-6 overall and 9-3 in the SSAC, which is third place behind Mobile (10-2) and William Carey (10-2).
Loyola has three more matches left in the regular season, and all three will be played on the road this weekend. Loyola is scheduled to play two matches at Faulkner on Friday, the first against the Eagles at 3 p.m. followed by a non-conference match against Reinhardt University. The Wolf Pack's season-finale is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday at Middle Georgia State.
The Wolf Pack took a huge lead in the first set, racing out to a 10-4 lead behind two kills from Emily Sheperis. Kailyn O'Neal and Brittany Cooper each had two kills in the early going as well, taking a lead 14-8 midway through the game. The Rams, however, tied the score at 16-16 before taking a 21-18 lead. Kills by Casey Aucoin and Cooper kept Loyola close, then Jordan Bernard tallied three kills to help Loyola score six of the final eight points to win the set.
The second set started much closer, as neither team could grab a lead larger than two until Mobile led 19-16. Aucoin had two early attacks, followed by two more from Sheperis and Bernard to put Loyola up 8-6 early. O'Neal tied the set 15-15 with her second kill of the game, then Aucoin kept Loyola close before Mobile could tie the match with a 25-20 second-set win.
Mobile led for most of the final two sets, winning both to take the match from the Wolf Pack. Jules Mokry, Sheperis and Bernard each had a kill in the early portion of the third set, tying the game, 6-6. The Rams pushed ahead for the rest of the set, but the Wolf Pack cut the score to one point three times during the rest of the set.
The fourth set featured four ties, but a large lead midway through the game proved to be too much for Loyola. Trailing 18-10, Sheperis and Bernard each had two kills to help cut the score to 20-17, but the Rams were able to hold on for the win, 25-21.
"This is another tough one to process. We have the talent and ability, but we couldn't string together enough of those 'moments of greatness' to win. It was close the entire time and Mobile played outstanding defense. Our hitters made some incredible swings and Mobile was there to dig them. One great thing that we're seeing is that we're still growing in our offensive efficiency. We hit just over .200. In a loss last year or even 2-3 years ago, that wouldn't be the case. We have to dial in on our defense and blocking and find consistency in serve-receive. Emily had a great night of attacking, Kailyn and Gracie have consistently matched assist numbers, and Hélene had another phenomenal night defensively. We have two more matches to finish off the regular season this weekend and we're focused on earning those wins."
Pack Facts
Emily Sheperis led the Wolf Pack with 14 kills, the most kills in any four-set match for the freshman. Her season-high of 17 kills came in five sets against Middle Georgia State on March 6.
The reigning SSAC Defender of the Week Helene Masone had a game-high 23 digs in the match, her third straight match with at least 20 digs.
Kailyn O'Neal, again, almost had her second triple-double of the season, recording 22 assists, 16 digs and seven kills.
Jordan Bernard had her second straight match with at least 10 kills, notching exactly that many against Mobile Tuesday.
Gracie Bailey had 20 assists in the match, and it was the second straight match with at least that many. She's also had at least that many in six matches this season.
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