Loyola’s women’s volleyball team defeated Spring Hill College 3-1 in front of a packed den Sept. 23. The victory gives them a 4-0 record, the best start in Loyola athletics history. The previous record was a 3-0 start in 2005.

Loyola won the first point of the match, when Sarah Howard, marketing senior, scored a put back, tapping the ball back to the opponent’s side. This tie was the first of many, as there were constant lead changes throughout the game.

Loyola gained some ground, leading 4-2, and general studies freshman Gina Gill’s kill extended this lead. Gill finished the game with 18 kills, as did Mary Seals, accounting senior, both leading the ‘Pack in this category.

Tied at 8, a Seals kill gave the ‘Pack a 9-8 lead. This lead was erased quickly as Spring Hill went ahead, 12-10.

In a display of teamwork, Lindsay Mullinix, general business freshman, and Howard joined forces to score a block, tying the score at 12. This point was the first of Loyola’s five point run, giving them a 15-12 lead.

A Seals kill gave the ‘Pack the win, 25-21.

In the second game, Loyola started down, 5-1. The ‘Pack managed to tie a Seals kill, but quickly fell behind, 6-7.

With the game tied at 18, Spring Hill went on a five point run, giving them a 23-21 lead. The game was tied at 24, extending the game to win by two points. A Gill kill and a double contact by Spring Hill gave Loyola the 26-24 victory.

The third game of the match started favorably for the ‘Pack, leading 2-0. Spring Hill scored a point, but Loyola extended their lead with a Seals kill. Gill then followed with another kill, giving Loyola a 5-3 lead. Spring Hill came back and tied it at five.

Later in the game, Loyola fell behind 16-18 and again at 18-20. Even though Seals brought the ‘Pack back with a kill to tie at 22, Loyola lost the game 25-22.

Beth Ring, head coach of the Spring Hill Badgers, was pleased with her team’s performance during that game. “I felt like we were blocking strong, and I felt we were passing much better than in the first two games,” Ring said.

Howard believes her team was not focused in the third set. “I think it was a little bit of a lack of focus for a couple of points, but really it was the momentum of going back and forth so much, and we didn’t have it at the end,” Howard said.

The’Pack dominated the fourth game. A Gill kill gave the ‘Pack a quick 1-0 lead. Another kill by Gill extended the team’s lead to 5-0. Mullinix also took part in extending Loyola’s lead as her service ace gave them a 6-0 lead. At one point the ‘Pack led 8-0.

Loyola went on to win this game when Seals scored a kill, ending the game 25-13.

This gave the match to Loyola 3-1.

After the game, Ring was satisfied with her team’s performance. “I felt we played very tough. I felt pleased as we came out because we had a tough weekend this past weekend, and we played very strong today,” Ring said.

Gill was an important player in the victory with 18 kills in the game. After the game she said she was very pleased with the team’s performance.

“The support of my teammates helped me a lot. They said point after point we just have to focus. It was always point for point, not worrying about the end of the game,” Gill said.

Howard expressed the importance of working as a team and said that she wouldn’t be able to be successful at her position without her teammates.

“I can’t be a good setter without my hitters getting kills and my defense digging balls,” Howard said.

For Coach Tommy Harold the victory was a team effort. “It was a good win, had a great crowd, kids are getting better every match. I have seen improvement, but there’s still plenty of things we need to get better. Our next step is to improve our serving,” Harold said.

Eduardo Gonzalez can be reached at [email protected].