MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Life University women's volleyball team earned a split on the opening day of the SSAC Championships finding a 3-1 win over UT Southern in their first match of the day before falling to Loyola in a tough three-setter.
Match 1: Life 3, UT Southern 1
The Running Eagles took the opening set of the day against the Firehawks 25-21. The second set was tightly contested as the Firehawks battled back to a 24-24 tie before eventually falling in the set after a Fayola Louis kill and a UTS attacking error. The third set was again a heavily contested set but this time UT Southern won the final two points to force a fourth set. Eventually, Life U would outlast the Firehawks in the final set finally putting everything together with a convincing 25-14 set win.
Je'Bria Green was stellar in the opening match, lead the team with 18 kills while also adding four blocks.
Naomi Eckert Rivera tabbed 38 assists in the match.
Match 2: Loyola New Orleans 3, Life U 1
Against Loyola, the Running Eagles trailed early after the Wolfpack gained points with a barrage of blocks in the first five points. The Running Eagles then trailed 10-4 lead in the first set, but battled back to make it a one-point game a couple of times throughout the set. Trailing 16-14, the Wolfpack scored six straight points to extend the advantage to 22-15 as Loyola ultimately pulled out the set one win 25-17.
In the second set, an early run for Loyola saw the Wolfpack again jump ahead as two aces provided a 5-1 lead. After that, Life U cut the deficit to 6-5, but were unable to gain the lead trailing 10-5 shortly after. The two teams would trade points midway through the set, with the Running Eagles cutting the deficit to a single point 19-18. Another well executed run saw Loyola again pull away with a 25-21 second-set win.
In the final set, the Running Eagles struggled to keep up as Loyola closed out the sweep 25-16.
Up next, the Running Eagles will remain in pool play looking for a much-needed win against William Carey tomorrow at 2:30 pm.
