NEED TO KNOW:

Score: Life U 0, Loyola 3

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Life University Women's Volleyball team falls to Loyola (La.) in their final game of Southern States Tournament to wrap up the 2025 season. 

The two-seeded Wolfpack took an early 4-1 lead in the first set and remained mostly in control through the early parts of the opening frame. The Running Eagles refused to go down without a fight with a strong run midway through to level the contest at 16 apiece. The two teams then battled all the way through the opening set before the Wolfpack eventually pulled away with a 27-25 win. 

In the second set, the Running Eagles fell behind again after Loyola jumped out to a 5-3 lead. The Running Eagles were once again able to stay competitive against Loyola, but it wasn't enough to claim the second set. Loyola added another winning set to the scoreboard, 25-19.

In what proved to be the final set, the Running Eagles were unable to sustain momentum in the third as Loyola found a response to every Life U attack. Loyola answered every Life U push, eventually closing the frame with a 5–1 run after Life tied it 20–20. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
– Life U recorded 31 kills to Loyola's 38, with the Wolfpack hitting .237 compared to the Running Eagles' .165.
– Loyola held a 12–6 advantage in service aces.
– Life U totaled 35 digs defensively, led by Reign Jarin's 14.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
– Paola Vega led Life with 10 kills while hitting .240 and adding 2 digs.
– Erica Irby contributed 7 kills, a block, and a .143 hitting percentage.
– Setter tandem Gabriela Rivera (15 assists, 3 digs) and Fabiana Cruz (10 assists, 2 digs) shared court time.
– Reign Jarin added 14 digs and 4 aces. 
Life U wraps up the season 11-16.