Loyola swept Dillard at The Den on Tuesday, placing them second in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.
Dillard fell 30-16, 30-13 and 30-26.
Colleen McNerney, psychology junior, headed the offense with 23 kills.
Mary Seals, accounting junior, delivered 15 of her own.
The ‘Pack plowed through the first two games, but the final game proved less easy.
“We fell into some slumps,” said marketing senior Kelly Fridge. Dillard pulled it together after frantically defending against offensive duo Seals and McNerney. Loyola couldn’t sustain a lead for most of the game, but viable team efforts kept them afloat.
“Our defense was outstanding tonight. Allowing less than 20 points in two of three games is a testament to the work the team has done,” said coach Tommy Harold.
Loyola recovered in the second half with two aces from psychology freshman Errin Price and two points from international business sophomore Keelyn Henderson. The `Pack sealed the deal with three successive kills by McNerney and a cap by mass communication junior Danielle Posey, giving them a four-point lead.
Game point came courtesy of Seals with a brutal side hit vainly deflected by Dillard’s defense.
The advent of Senior Night sweetened victory. “It was a great game, to see the team get in and win it for the seniors,” said Fridge, who handed out cookies post-game. “Hopefully we’ll play them in regionals, because we can definitely beat them.”
Howard said, “We’re finally consistently disciplined; we’re meshing well and controlling the tempo. It’s always good to win a conference game.”
Ambitions were high as seniors Kristen Williams, criminal justice; Allison Cooley, political science; and Fridge sat out and gave the last game to the underclassmen. “It was a matter of pride,” Harold said, “and the underclassmen wanted to win it for the seniors. We came out really hot and fast, and didn’t even give Dillard a chance.”
Dillard resulted in a welcomed win after Loyola lost to Lee University 30-21, 30-28, 24-30 and 30-21 last Saturday at home. “I’m happy with the way we played, but disappointed that we could not get the win. I think it shows that we can play at a high level in the NAIA and it should give us some confidence going into the end of the season and the GCAC tournament,” Harold said.
The ‘Pack is scheduled to face Mississippi College away on Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.
Nicole Mundy can be reached at [email protected].
Loyola’s volleyball team beat Dillard University 3-0 Tuesday at the Den to climb one game behind first place in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Their next game is away against Mississippi College Oct. 28. (Tom Macom)
