The Loyola volleyball (3-11 overall, 1-2 conference ) team got a taste of its first conference matches of the season.
The women played Faulkner University Friday, Sept. 20, in Montgomery, Ala.
Loyola won 3-1 in four sets of play. The team struggled in the first set with a 15-25 score, but regained strength in the next three sets to win its first conference game of the season.
The win came at a crucial time for the Wolf Pack, who have been working to improve their defensive game.
“With Faulkner, they have a history of great work ethic and are very strong defensively,” Head Coach Margot Frederick said.
Despite their win, the team lost 1-3 against Brenau University on Saturday in Gainesville, Ga. Loyola lost the first set 16-25 but gained strength to win the next set 25-16.
The last two sets remained close, but not close enough for Loyola to win.
Frederick said she not only wants to focus on improving defense this season, but would also like to work on other aspects of the game.
“It’s going to challenge us to be more efficient as hitters, and we’ve spent a lot of time on it this week,” Frederick said.
So far the team is getting kills on 14.5 percent of all attempts this season and has 565 kills overall.
But the Wolf Pack are allowing opponents to get kills on 21.8 percent of attempts and are getting out blocked by their opponents 101 to 115.
General studies business sophomore Katie Hamilton, outside hitter, said she wants to help the team out by improving her personal stats.
“I’m working on getting my stat numbers up,” Hamilton said.
She said that getting more kills and being a more steady player are some things she is working on this season.
Hamilton has 31 total kills this season.
Environmental business junior Becca Burnett, who is the libero, said, “I’m just working on staying on my feet.”
Burnett got 31 digs against Faulkner (7-7, 3-2) and has a total of 129 this season, which puts her second on the team in that category.
Although the team has a 3-10 start to the season, Frederick said she sees positive aspects.
“We’ve had a great couple practices, as far as energy. That’s been something we’ve struggled with,” Frederick said.
With the team adjusting to each other and a new coach, Fredrick said their chemistry has grown.
“We’ve got some people that are a little quieter that have been able to come out of their shells a little bit,” she said. “I have no doubt that we’re going to get back on track in the next couple of weeks.”
Loyola will continue their conference schedule with back to back home games against Emmanuel (12-5, 2-1) College and Southern Wesleyan University (15-7, 3-0) on Sept. 27 and 28.
Raven Richard can be reached [email protected]
(The Maroon)
(The Maroon)
