The Loyola women’s volleyball team gave a promising performance in their season opener against Faulkner University, as they upended their visitors three games to one in front of a diverse crowd of incoming freshman and upperclass sorority members. Outside hitter Mary Seals, accounting senior, had 15 kills – the highest in her career – while psychology senior Colleen McNerney contributed ten.

“It was nice to start the season with a victory at home. I saw some progress in things that we have worked on this preseason, but there are still a few aspects that we can improve. We look forward to getting back to work this week in practice and a good tournament next weekend at Belhaven,” said Loyola head coach Tommy Harold.

“We were just pumped that our first game was a home game,” said outside hitter Sarah Howard, marketing senior.

Loyola and Faulkner chased each other’s lead early in the first match, but the ‘Pack dug out a (31-26) win.

The second match (14-30) exposed areas the Wolfpack needs to improve, especially its defense. In the second match, Faulkner took advantage of an off-rhythm Loyola defense and kept the lead out of sight.

Harold blamed poor ball control and a breakdown in passing for the second game loss.

After going neck and neck in the third match, Loyola took the lead halfway through – only to see it dwindle to a mere three points at the end of it, when the ‘Pack scored two of its last three points on unforced errors from Faulkner. The final score of the third match was 30-27.

Faulkner tested Loyola with a sturdy defense, but Loyola was able to wait out the long volleys and take advantage of the Eagles’ mistakes.

Outside hitter Danielle Posey, mass communication junior, emphasized how the importance of “the first touch of the ball (being) the best touch.”

The offense clicked in the fourth game as Posey and outside hitter Sarah Howard hammered out several key kills.

“We were just pumped that our first game was a home game,” said Howard, marketing senior.

For Faulkner, Holly Hutcheson lead the team with 12 kills while Carrie Butler had 19 digs.

Steve Heath can be reached at [email protected].

Setter Danielle Posey, mass communication junior, spikes a shot over the net at The Den against Faulkner University during their season opener on Aug. 25. Posey and the Wolfpack won 3-1. (Tyler Kaufman)