In an inspiring performance to a spirited bunch of ‘Pack fans the Loyola women’s volleyball team upended conference competitor Belhaven College in their second home game of the season.
“[We] refocused and got back together. We got in the right mindset to play for each other and think less about [individual mistakes] because the team needs to succeed. I’m really excited to get back in that mode,” said accounting senior Mary Seals, who was awarded Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week award last week.
With a consistent defense Loyola took advantage of Belhaven mistakes to win the first match, 30-18.
Belhaven made crucial scores that ultimately led them to win the match, 30-28, despite several denied spikes by the ‘Pack defense and a critical kill from GCAC Libero of the Week Tiffany Stafford, psychology senior, who led the ‘Pack with 53 digs.
The third match served as a turning point in the game when Loyola, trailing at one point by eight points, rallied to win 30-26.
After chasing leads for most of the fourth match, Belhaven scored the winning point for a 31-29 loss for Loyola.
The fifth and final match showed an early lead in Loyola’s favor after crucial kills from Seals and Colleen McNerney, psychology senior. After Belhaven recaptured the lead, the ‘Pack tied the match at 14-14 with international business junior Keelyn Henderson at server. Seals scored the winning kill off a Belhaven touch to end the game, 16-14. McNerney and Seals both lead the ‘Pack with 23 kills each for the night.
“They refocused, shifted momentum, and found a rhythm,” said Loyola head coach Tommy Harold of the team’s two comeback victories during the match.
He accredited the win to “eliminating errors,” but said the team still needed to work on plays and side-out percentages.
Focusing on each point and not “the big picture” is a concern for outside hitter Sarah Howard, marketing senior, who had 50 assists. She said the team needed to “not get caught up in their mistakes” and instead learn from them so they “don’t get burned twice.”
Danielle Posey, communications junior, led the team with 6 aces for the night.
Mary Seals, accounting senior, tips the ball away from a Belhaven defender. Seals ranks 46th in the NAIA averaging 3.8 kills per game.
