Wolf Pack improves to 6-1 in league play

NEW ORLEANS – The Loyola Wolf Pack volleyball won in straight sets again on Saturday, defeating Middle Georgia State 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-9) in The Den for another Southern States Athletic Conference win. Loyola (15-4, 6-1 in SSAC) will travel to Faulkner next Saturday for a 1 p.m. contest. 
 

Juliana Pacini and Amaya Bazemore got things started for the Wolf Pack, then three more kills by Simone Tyson and Emily Sheperis quickly made it a 7-1 lead. Loyola won six straight points on Simone Moreau's serve to really grab control of the opening set, extending the match to a 9-1 lead. When Middle Georgia fought back to make the score 11-4, attacks by Sheperis and Pacini extended the Loyola lead to nine, 13-4. Loyola continued to dominate the first set, getting kills from Alexa Palmer and Tyson to extend the lead to 10, 21-11. An attack from Preslie Boswell ended the first set for the Pack, 25-15.
 

Middle Georgia showed some fight in the second set, grabbing a 3-0 lead to start. Then, kills from Boswell, Tyson, and Emma Fahy helped put the Pack back on top, 5-4. Loyola continued to make plays when an ace from Samantha Ingram made the score 10-6. Ellie Connor got an ace too, extending the Loyola lead, 16-9. Attacks from Bazemore and an ace and kill from Pacini kept the Pack ahead, 20-11. Ingram, Pacini and Boswell each found the floor, en route to a 25-16 win to take a two-set lead.
 

Once again, the Knights started the set with a lead, 3-1, but like the previous set, the Pack did not let the lead last long. A Bazemore kill, combined with a Middle Georgia error and ace from Juliet Petruzelli put the Pack in the lead, 4-3. Three Petruzelli kills, a Fahy attack, and a Connor ace increased the Loyola lead, 18-9. Fahy found the floor to help win the third set for the Pack, completing Loyola's 12-0 run to end the day.
 

Wolf Pack Head Coach Jesse Zabal

"I'm continually proud of how this team chooses to operate as we meet each opponent. There was a lot of accountability happening on the floor in the moments where we knew we weren't playing as our best selves. They always push each other and support each other, and it's been wonderful to see. 


Our attack efficiency and aggressive serves really stood out to me today. And Simone Moreau had a great day as well, it seemed like she got a touch on the ball every chance she got. It was impressive. As we roll into October, we will be on the road a lot, but I know our team continues to be up to the challenges that lie ahead."

Pack Facts

• With the win, Loyola improved to 15-4 on the season, the team's best record through 19 matches in program history. 

• Loyola now owns a 13-match winning streak against Middle Georgia, dating back to 2017. 

• After a .466 team hitting percentage in last night's match, the Wolf Pack surpassed that mark with a .470 hitting percentage on Saturday. 

• Amaya Bazemore led the way with 10 kills while hitting .529. 

• Four different players recorded at least seven kills: Bazemore, Simone Tyson, Emily Sheperis, and Juliana Pacini. They all also hit at least .350 for the match. 

• Ellie Connor led the team with 20 assists. It was her second-highest assist total of the season for a three-set match. Samantha Ingram was also in double figures with 12 assists.

• Connor also had two aces to lead the team. 

• Simone Moreau finished with 12 digs, while Pacini had nine and Tyson seven. 

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