Sept. 19, 2009
Final Stats
Loudonville, N.Y. - Strong defense on the part of Loyola wasn't enough to stop Siena Saturday afternoon, in the season's first Metro Atlantic Conference action. Burgandy McCurty and Aubrey Bobo combined for 31 kills to help the Saints (3-5 overall, 1-0 MAAC) overtake the Greyhounds 3-0 (18-25, 21-25, 19-25) at Siena's Alumni Recreation Center in Loudonville, N.Y.
Nina Camaioni, the conference's kill leader, led Loyola (5-9 overall, 0-1 MAAC) with 13. Katie Dircks and Karlee Woodward chipped in eight and nine each, while Aubrey Kirven led all setters with 32 assists.
Blocking was a bright spot for Loyola Saturday. Although the team has struggled with the block throughout non-conference play, the Greyhounds front row, led by Woodward, out-blocked Siena 7-5, marking the first time this season Loyola has out-blocked an opponent. Woodward had two solo blocks and assisted in four. Camaioni and Dircks each assisted in two.
In the first set, Camaioni and McCurty went kill-for-kill. Two of the conference's top hitters battled back and forth until Loyola began to slip midway through. Costly errors allowed Siena to pull away and hold off Loyola's attack.
The Greyhounds picked up the offense in the second set, posting 13 kills on .303 hitting. But once again, mistakes in the middle of the game gave Loyola ground to make up. Loyola rallied this time, with Janet Pressler, Taylor Koncelik and Woodward each contributing key kills to help close the gap. But the rally fell short, with the Greyhounds finishing on the wrong end of a 25-21 score.
McCurty and Bobo went on a tear in the third set. The two of them were nearly unstoppable as they helped Siena jump out to a quick lead. The two hitters both caught fire at the same time, effectively halting the Greyhounds efforts, and ending Loyola's chance at its first MAAC win of the season.
Loyola continues MAAC play tomorrow with a match at Marist (7-5 overall, 1-0 MAAC). The Red Foxes swept St. Peter's today to earn their first league win of the season. The Greyhounds will play a 2 p.m. match in Poughkeepsie, at the McCann Field House, before returning home for a Tuesday non-conference match against American.
