The Wolfpack entered Spring Hill’s tournament last weekend with a 1-3 record and emerged a 4-4 team.

“It feels like we’re back to a clean slate,” coach Tommy Harold said. “We have a .500 record now, and we’re in pretty good shape.”

After losing to Emory Friday, the ‘Pack rallied to oust Georgia Southwestern later that day, before defeating Pensacola Christian and Webber International Saturday.

Loyola began the tournament with a loss to Emory, falling 30-22, 30-22, 30-25. Management senior Ashley Cobette was the ‘Pack’s leading scorer with seven kills.

Harold said Loyola had a similar experience with Emory last season, stating that Emory’s roster had the same depth it did the last time the ‘Pack squared off against the team.

“They’re a larger school [than Loyola] and have around 24 players on their roster [compared to Loyola’s 12],” he said.

After the loss to Emory, the ‘Pack regrouped and defeated Georgia Southwestern 25-30, 30-24, 30-22, 30-25. General business freshman Mary Seals had 12 kills. Sarah Howard, general studies freshman, had 37 assists.

Harold said Loyola played smarter, more coordinated volleyball.

“It was a much cleaner match, compared to our match against Emory,” he said. “We didn’t make many errors.”

Loyola brought its rally along to the tournament’s second day, as it won against Pensacola Christian 30-23, 30-16, 30-23. Seals and Cobette combined for 18 kills, recording nine each.

Every player’s performance against Pensacola was impressive, Harold said.

“[Pensacola] plays a much slower game than normal. But we kept at our own pace and didn’t get caught up in what could’ve been an emotional match.”

Loyola anchored its rally after winning its last game of the tournament against Webber International, going 30-13, 30-25, 0-17. Howard had 36 assists and four aces. Seals led the ‘Pack with 12 kills.

In a similar fashion to how Loyola beat Pensacola, coach Harold said the ‘Pack beat Webber because it dictated the game’s pace. Harold attributed the team’s turnaround to a player-only meeting the seniors initiated after the loss to Emory. After eight games, Loyola’s record this season is the same as last season.

After the tournament at Spring Hill, Harold said he’s confident in what he believes to be a growing team.

“We were much better last weekend than the weekend before. I think that pattern will continue.”

Chris Anderson can be reached at [email protected].