They beat Spring Hill. As the ‘Pack Pride Committee said at a pep rally before the game: ’nuff said.
Coleen McNerney, psychology junior, saved the Wolfpack with two consecutive kills, ending the tie-breaker against fellow Jesuit university and conference rival Spring Hill.
Tension built as the fate of the game rested on several well-executed plays. Spring Hill shot ahead 9-4 at the top of the fifth game, but Loyola quickly recovered by amassing five unanswered points, thanks to skillful plays by Sarah Terrebonne, biology junior, and Danielle Posey, mass communication junior. The ‘Pack knotted the score at 9 with a kill by psychology junior Tiffany Stafford .
In classic rival struggle, the two teams split the next eight points until McNerney stepped up and declared game over. Tuesday’s home victory was easily one of the most intense so far this season. Loyola beat the badgers – 27-30, 30-28, 30-28, 15-3 – bumping their record up to 12-4.
McNerney headed the offence with 25 kills, and reliable offensive outsider Mary Seals, general business senior, added 20 kills.
It was by all means a close match; both teams played tough, but Loyola’s offensive players were able to out-maneuver and break through Spring Hill’s defensive wall.
“This is the first time we’ve beaten Spring Hill in the regular season,” said Howard, whose passive-aggressive offense style helped Loyola gain the advantage of an otherwise fierce game.
Howard credits team unity to Tuesday’s victory.
“Our defense breaks up everything you put on them. My outsiders (Kelly Fridge and Seals), they have no problem finishing the point,” Howard said.
Captain Kelly Fridge, marketing senior, echoed Howard. “Team effort is what pulled us out of this one. We played with heart,” Fridge said.
Coach Tommy Harold also acknowledged the Wolfpack’s discipline and their resolve to win.
“We focus on the improvement factor; the results take care of themselves,” said Harold. “The kids worked hard and they earned it.”
Loyola broke even last week in Bethany, Okla., coming out Sunday with two wins and two losses.
At home, however, the team takes no prisoners. Loyola wiped The Den’s floor with St. Thomas (Texas) on Sept. 23rd with a 30-21, 30-24, 30-23 win. McNerney and Seals each had 17 kills. Political science senior Allison Cooley, criminal justice junior Kristen Williams and Terrebonne had three blocks apiece.
Keelyn Henderson, international business sophomore, scored four aces for the ‘Pack in the first game with her unconventional serving method, one of the team’s important assets.
“They make fun of me for it”, Henderson said. “I think that when you’re aggressive back there, it pumps the team up.”
The team travels to once-defeated Mobile on Oct. 10. The next home game is at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 against Lee University.
Nicole Mundy can be reached at [email protected].
