In the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference preseason poll released earlier in the week, the women’s basketball team was picked to finish in third place.
The ‘Pack is coming off its most successful season since the reinstitution of athletics in 1991. Last season, Loyola finished in a tie for third place with Mobile with a 10-8 GCAC record.
The preseason ranking is the highest ever for the team. Xavier University has been picked to repeat as conference champions.
Under first-year coach Michael Giorlando, the men’s team has been picked to finish 10th in the conference.
* VOLLEYBALL FALLS TO GRAMBLING
After winning the first two games against Grambling University on Monday, the women’s volleyball team (9-10) dropped the final three games to lose the match in the Den. Grambling was winning 12-11 in the final game before getting the last three points to win the game and match. Ashley Cobette, management senior, had 13 kills. General business freshman Mary Seals had 12 kills, and accounting senior Shannon LaHaie had 11.
Loyola fell to 2-2 in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference play with a loss to Dillard in straight games
Oct. 5. The scores were 30-10, 39-37, 30-27.
On Oct. 3, Loyola beat Millsaps College in straight games 30-28, 30-25, 30-25. Kelly Fridge, accounting junior, had 25 digs in the win.
* CROSS COUNTRY PREPARES FOR GCAC MEET
Elementary education senior Jean Cassandra finished in ninth place at the Disney Classic in Orlando, Fla. last Saturday with a time of 20:17.93 in the five kilometer course. The women’s cross country team finished in 21st place out of 32 teams. Sociology senior Natalie Sargent ran the race in a time of 20:37.84 to come in 124th place. Mary Erin Imwalle, communications freshman, finished in 126th place with a time of 20:42.21.
The men’s team finished in 25th place out of 31 teams. History sophomore Richard Brouckaert led the ‘Pack by running the eight kilometer course in 28:08.31 to finish in 118th place. Matt Cagigal, general business sophomore, was right behind him in 121st place with a time of 28:10.78. Both teams will compete in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships Oct. 2 in Clinton, Miss.
