Despite trouble adjusting to each other in the first match, the members of the Wolfpack volleyball team served up a successful West Alabama Tournament on Aug. 30-31.
Loyola’s first match was a 27-30, 33-31, 30-28, 30-20 loss to Martin Methodist.
Communications senior Maggie Schaefer recorded 15 kills and 25 digs. Suzi Ruiz, history junior, led the team with 37 digs.
According to Head Coach Greg Castillo, the main reason for the loss was difficulty in finding the correct line-up.
“Our timing wasn’t there in the beginning,” Castillo said. “I have a young team even though there are two seniors. I just wanted to see what would work. I got to see everybody play.”
Communications sophomore Shannon LaHaie, who led the team with 20 kills, said she felt the difference in the line changes as well.
“We have a lot of good people, so it was hard to get in sync,” she said.Later Friday afternoon, the Wolfpack defeated Spellman College 30-14, 30-19, 30-18.
Missy Showalter, communications junior, recorded eight kills. Laurie Cacioppo, management sophomore, delivered 17 assists, and chemistry freshman Kelly Fridge led the team with 12 digs.
The first game of the second day was a tough battle against the host team, but the ‘Pack still swept away the competition, 30-27, 30-20, 33-31.
Amanda Gilliard, education junior, led the ‘Pack with 10 kills and Ruiz passed around 28 assists. Showalter led the ‘Pack with 16 digs.
“We played surprisingly well for so early,” Ruiz said. “I’m pretty happy with what happened.”
In the second match of the day, the ‘Pack was behind in every game but still won, 30-27, 24-30, 30-28, 30-27.
Schaefer led the Wolfpack with 20 kills and six aces. April Barrios, business sophomore, filled in defensively for management senior Krista Danos, who was out with an injury. Barrios added 23 digs.
“The team has a lot of depth. I had to step up big time,” Barrios said. “We’re a lot better than last year.”
Loyola, which received enough points in the NAIA poll to rank 32nd, played its first home match Tuesday against Mississippi College.
The Wolfpack rallied back from four-point deficits in each of the first two games.
In the first game, the ‘Pack fell behind 5-1 before taking a 9-6 lead. Loyola never trailed again in that game, winning 30-25.
The second game included six lead changes and six ties. The Mississippi Lady Choctaws took an 18-14 lead midway throught the match. The ‘Pack pulled away to win 30-23.
The third match was even more of a roller coaster. The Choctaws tied the game at 27 after several lead changes.
The visitors tied the score at 28 and 29. The Wolfpack finally beat the Choctaws (3-3), 31-29, on its second chance at match point.
Despite Loyola’s fourth win in a row, Castillo was not very pleased.”I think we took a step back from the weekend, but a win’s a win,” Castillo said. “Maybe they were nervous. We had a nice little crowd. You expect games like this.”
Ruiz handed off 32 assists and 12 digs. Schaefer added 16 kills and 21 digs leading the team in both categories.
Castillo was slightly apprehensive about the ‘Pack’s chances at 16th ranked Houston Baptist, tomorrow at 10 a.m. in Houston.
“This weekend we’ll see where we stand,” Castillo said. “I need to challenge them more.”
The Wolfpack also will play Huston-Tillotson tomorrow at noon.
