Sept. 13, 2014 Final Stats
CONWAY, South Carolina - The Loyola University Maryland volleyball team closed out the Coastal Carolina University Invitational with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-15) loss to Kennesaw State University Saturday morning.
Sophomore Jane Lukas led Loyola (1-9) with a match-high nine kills and 14 digs, while senior Mindy Maloney added six kills.
Loyola fell behind early in the first set and although a block from seniors Lauren Andersen and Mindy Maloney pulled the Greyhounds within two, at 11-9, the Owls responded with a five-point run to increase their lead to seven, 16-9. Loyola continued to rally, scoring six of the next eight points, moving the score to 18-15, but KSU again had an answer, using a 7-2 run to secure a 25-17 set win.
Kennesaw State gained control of the second set with a four-straight points midway through the frame that gave the Owls a 16-10 advantage. Loyola continued to fight, pulling within two at 19-17, but that would be as close as the Greyhounds would get, as the Owls closed out the stanza scoring six of the seven points for a 25-18 victory.
A slow start plagued the Greyhounds through the third set, as Kennesaw State cruised to a 24-11 advantage before Loyola was able to string together a comeback attempt. Freshman Danielle Hillman knocked down back-to-back kills after one from Maloney, but following a bad set on the Owls, Ria Ridley knocked down the game-winning kill to give KSU the match win, 25-15.
Loyola will remain on the road, heading to Loretto, Pa., for one final tournament before beginning conference play. The Greyhounds will face George Mason on Friday at 5 p.m., before taking on Morgan State and the hosts, Saint Francis (Pa.), on Saturday at 11 a.m., and 7 p.m., respectively.
