After opening the season with a 1-3 showing in the Lee University tournament, Loyola volleyball coach Tommy Harold said that the team’s early struggles should not last long.
“We have a young group, but they’re a solid group,” Harold said. “They just have to get used to the speed of a college game. After that, I expect us to compete for the conference championship.”
Harold said all of the tools to accomplish his goal of competing in the conference championship are present on the team, but also that he needs the seniors to help sharpen them.
“The freshmen have a lot of ability and potential. And through effort and senior leadership, we’ll bring them up to speed.”
Of the 12 players, half are freshmen; the other half is comprised of two sophomores, one junior and three seniors.
Loyola began its season with a win, beating Berry College on the first day of the Lee University volleyball tournament. The ‘Pack swept Berry 30-23, 30-22, 33-31.
General business freshman Mary Seals and general studies freshman Sarah Howard made early contributions, with Seals leading the ‘Pack for a team high 15 kills and Howard putting up 41 assists.
But the remainder of the tournament wasn’t as pretty.
After defeating Berry College, the ‘Pack trotted on to face Mount Vernon Nazarene later that day,
losing 30-19, 30-23, 29-31, 30-16. General business senior Ashley Cobette had 11 spikes, and Howard put up 32 assists.
With just enough time to lick its wounds, the team began the second day of the tournament against Seton Hill. Howard’s 46 assists and visual graphics freshman Alex Fredrichs’ 12 kills weren’t enough to win it for the ‘Pack, but kept them within striking distance. The team eventually lost to Seton Hill 30-27, 25-30, 30-24, 27-30, 15-12. Later that day, Loyola also fell to Flagler College 30-22, 30-17, 30-24.
Despite the losses, coach Harold said that he remains optimistic because the season has just started.
“It’s just a matter of time and figuring everything out. There’s no one in the conference we can’t beat”
Loyola travels to Mobile, Ala., to begin play in the Spring Hill tournament today against Emory at 4 p.m.
