WILMINGTON, N.C. - The Loyola University Maryland volleyball team rallied to win the third set Sunday morning against Appalachian State University, but the Mountaineers came back to take the match in four, 25-20, 25-15, 22-25, 25-20, to wrap up the SpringHill Suites Mayfaire Invitational at UNCW.

Loyola (0-3 overall) was led by Ann Ernst with season-highs of 15 kills and 11 digs, while Haley Puddy had 11 kills and a career-best 15 digs. Sydney Wilcenski contributed 10 digs, while Ashley Kozer had 21 assists and Molly Werts dded 20.

Melissa McMath aided Appalachian State (2-2) with 14 kills, and Kara Spicer had 13. Ashlyn Brown added 36 assists and 12 digs. Olivia Loeffler contributed 20 digs and Sydney Farthing added 10 digs.

Loyola was able to get the first point on the board to open the match, but Appalachian State answered every Greyhound score bringing the tally to 5-5. The Mountaineers pulled away with three-straight, bringing them to a comfortable lead., and Appalachian State downed Loyola 25-20 in the first set.

A five-point run early in the second set propelled the Mountaineers to a 6-2 lead. The Greyhounds chipped away at the deficit, but a later eight-point run by Appalachian State increased the gap, the Mountaineers took the second set 25-15.

The Greyhounds managed a four-point run midway through the third set to take the lead, 16-14. The Mountaineers regained the lead quickly, but the set remained close. Loyola rallied at the end to win the set 25-22.

Appalachian State went on a five-point run early in the fourth set to a 9-3 lead, but Loyola kept the set tight thereafter. Appalachian pulled ahead at the end and won the set 25-20.

Loyola will travel to Akron, Ohio, next weekend for the Akron Invitational. The Greyhounds face host Zips on Friday, September 1, at 7 p.m.