Loyola’s volleyball team ended their season on a high note after winning 3-1 against Dalton State College at the Southern States Athletic Conference Championship Friday.
On Thursday, the number seventh seeded Wolf pack opened SSAC Championship play in Montgomery, Alabama against the number three seed, College of Coastal Georgia, and lost 3-1. The Mariners rolled past the Wolf pack with help from four players with kills in double-digits. Sophomore Maddie Huekels had a big game for Loyola putting up a season high-31 assists with 12 digs and nine kills, according to Loyola Athletics.
Day two of the SSAC Championships featured a double-header for the Wolf pack as they took on Bethel University and Dalton State.
Loyola looked to bounce back from their day one loss, squaring off with number two seeded Bethel University. The Wolf pack proved no match for the Wildcats as they took down Loyola in three sets. Sophomore Tylar Beckham and freshman Malea Howie pitched in with five kills each. Freshman Sunni Blanchard helped out with a team-high 12 assists in the loss, according to Loyola Athletics.
Later on Friday, in Loyola’s final game of the season, the Wolf pack put up a strong effort in a close battle, winning in four sets. Dalton State opened the game, taking the first set 28-26. Loyola battled back stealing the second set with a score of 25-23 to tie the game. The Wolf pack took the third set with a decisive 25-18 win to go up 2-1. The final set proved to be the closest as Loyola battled from behind, going on to win 28-26.
Junior, Lindsay Ulfig led the Wolf pack with 17 kills, while sophomore, Allison Hartmann pitched in with a solid 14 kills, according to Dakstats.com. Freshman Sunni Blanchard led Loyola with 30 assists in the win and senior Katie Philippi led the way with 21 digs.
With this victory, the Wolf pack end the season 15-23 overall after going 1-2 in the SSAC Championships.
The Wolf pack will return 18 players next season but will lose three seniors: Katie Philippi, Arielle Lewis and Wren Overesch.
