NEED TO KNOW
Score: Loyola 3, Life 0
Record: Life 8-5 (3-2 SSAC)
NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Life University women's volleyball team suffered its second straight Southern States Athletic Conference setback on Saturday afternoon, falling in straight sets (25–17, 25–11, 25–20) to Loyola at The Den.
The Wolf Pack set the tone early in the opening frame, capitalizing on a series of attack miscues to surge ahead 18–9. Despite late service aces from Mia Garcia and Lauren Holcomb, the Running Eagles could not slow Loyola and dropped the set 25–17.
The Running Eagles then found themselves again in an uphill battle in the second set as Loyola delivered its most efficient stretch of the afternoon, hitting .429 with 14 kills. Kills from Erica Irby and Paola Vega momentarily steadied the Running Eagles, but a 7–0 Loyola run out of a timeout pushed the lead out of reach as the Wolf Pack cruised to a 25–11 win.
The Running Eagles regrouped in the third and produced their most competitive set of the match. Vega and Esosa Ehigiator combined for several key points while Garcia added her third service ace of the day to tie the score midway through. Loyola, however, responded late finishing on a 6–3 run to close out the set 25–20 and seal the sweep.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
– Life U recorded 20 kills to Loyola's 38, with the Wolf Pack hitting .247 compared to the Running Eagles' -.024.
– Loyola held a 10–4 advantage in service aces.
– The Running Eagles tallied 3.0 total blocks, while Loyola notched 6.0.
– Life U totaled 33 digs defensively, led by Victoria Davenport's 8.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
– Paola Vega led Life with 6 kills while hitting .250 and adding 4 digs.
– Esosa Ehigiator contributed 3 kills, a block, and a .143 hitting percentage.
– Mia Garcia was a spark from the service line, recording 3 aces.
– Setter tandem Gabriela Rivera (8 assists, 4 digs) and Fabiana Cruz (9 assists, 5 digs) shared court time.
– Reign Jarin added 7 digs and 2 assists
UP NEXT
Life University returns home next weekend to host the University of Tennessee Southern on Friday at 6 p.m. in SSAC play.
