Playing four matches in two days made for an exhausting weekend for Loyola’s volleyball team, but they should be pleased with the results.
The Wolf Pack went 4-0 at the Loyola-hosted Hampton Inn Invitational beating Xavier University, University of Arkansas Monticello, Southern University of New Orleans and Union University.
“It’s always difficult to play four games in one weekend and it takes a lot of mental toughness,” marketing senior and outside hitter Kailey Tuthill said. “But the whole team did really well, we stayed confident the entire time and we were able to take four wins which is really exciting.”
In addition to the stress of playing four games between Oct. 19 and Oct. 20, Loyola’s matches against Xavier and SUNO both went for all five sets.
Tuthill said that their workout routine can be an important factor in being able to outlast their opponents late in matches.
“Preseason and all the conditioning that we do beforehand really pays off and you could tell when we were out there that it paid off,” Tuthill said.
Tuthill had a strong performance over the weekend with 31 kills during the invitational to go along with 44 digs.
The Pack didn’t just receive contributions from its seniors, however. Mass communication freshman and outside hitter Eva Allen also played a role in the team’s success. Allen had 47 kills and 16 digs during the invitational. Even though this is her first year with the team, Allen said she is used to playing multiple games in a short period of time from her time playing club volleyball in high school.
“Club definitely gets you prepared for that,” Allen said. “Playing the same amount of games we played this weekend in one day and then we had to do it again the next day.”
Loyola will be playing in another tournament from Oct. 26 to Oct. 27 as they head to Jackson, Miss. for the Millsaps College Tournament. Although Pack players were tired after the past tournament, Allen is optimistic about where the team is after their recent performance at home.
“We had four matches to take care of and we went out and did our job,” Allen said. “That’s good progress that our team has made.”
Hasani Grayson can be reached at [email protected]
