NEW ORLEANS – The Loyola volleyball team was feeling right at home in The Den this weekend. After a sweep of Life University Friday night, the Wolf Pack took care of business against Talladega College in three sets on Saturday, 25-16, 25-9, 25-13. Loyola, which is now 11-6 overall and 4-1 in Southern States Athletic Conference play, continues its homestand with a home match Tuesday evening, hosting William Carey at 6 p.m. for a crucial league contest. 
 

Two attacks by Emily Sheperis and Amaya Bazemore, and aces by Sheperis and Brittany Cooper led to Loyola's first five points, 5-3, then Simone Tyson recorded a kill and an ace to make it an 8-5 lead. Talladega, however, kept the set close, 11-10, but a couple of attacks by Tyson and a block assist by Bazemore and Preslie Boswell helped extend Loyola's lead to 17-11 to create separation. A combination of Sheperis and Cooper gave Loyola the 1-0 match lead, as Sheperis notched a kill and a solo block while Cooper had a kill and an ace for the final points. 
 

The Wolf Pack got off to a quick start in Set 2, getting two service aces from Cooper and a couple of kills by Tyson, 7-1. Boswell, Sheperis and Cooper had consecutive kills a few points later, 14-6, then the service game of Gracie Bailey helped the Pack win seven straight points, 22-7. From there, Loyola easily closed out the second to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match. 
 

Again, Loyola got off to a nice start, and again, it was the service game of Bailey who allowed the Pack to quickly jump up 4-0. After Talladega briefly got back into the game, 4-3, Loyola scored six straight points, 10-3, thanks to two kills by Alicia Simmons and Cooper's fifth ace of the match. Tyson added to Loyola's high ace number, 16-7, later in the set, and a combination of four Wolf Pack attackers brought the game to its final, 25-13. 

Wolf Pack Head Coach Jesse Zabal

"Really solid win from our group this afternoon. Another fantastic serving match with Gracie and Brittany earning some aggressive aces. Our serve receive was also incredibly strong and now have gone two straight matches without giving up any aces. Ty and Emily were in their groove and put down some great kills. With Gracie as their setter for most rotations, it's clear where a majority of her 23 assists came from. We have another tough battle coming up on Tuesday against William Carey, so we'll rest, recover, and prepare then look forward to hosting again."

Pack Facts

• Loyola's volleyball team has never lost to Talladega in its history, improving its record against the Tornadoes to 13-0. Twelve of those matches were won in straight sets. 

• Simone Tyson notched her team-leading fifth double-double of the season on Saturday. She finished with a team-high 12 kills, 11 digs, and she served two aces. 

• Tyson has put up double-digit kills in seven different matches this season. Of those matches, Saturday's match was her most efficient, as she finished with a hitting percentage of .571 with no attacking errors. 

• As a team, Loyola served 13 aces, led by Brittany Cooper's five. Cooper has some of the best individual serving numbers in the country this season, as her 35 aces rank third in the NAIA this season. It was her fifth match in 2022 with at least four aces.

• Loyola's 135 total aces this season also is the third-most in the NAIA. 

• Cooper also tied Tyson for the team lead in digs with 11. It was her sixth match this season recording double-digit digs, and her third in a row.

• Gracie Bailey had one of her best performances of the season, finishing with 23 assists, four aces, and seven digs. Bailey had at least seven assists in each set. 

• Emily Sheperis had 10 kills in 17 attempts with just one error (.529), and it was her third match this season with a hitting percentage over .500. 

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.