WORCESTER, Mass. – Loyola University Maryland volleyball opened the match with a strong first set win but couldn't maintain momentum, falling to host Holy Cross in four sets, 25-19, 22-25, 22-25, 12-25, on Friday night at Coach George Blaney '61 Gymnasium.

The Greyhounds came out firing in the opening frame, hitting .324 and converting 74 percent of their sideout opportunities. Kacy Sekunda led the charge with four kills and a .500 hitting percentage in the set, while Ava Nepkin added four kills and a service ace. 

Holy Cross responded in the second set, using a late surge to edge Loyola, 25-22. The third set mirrored the second, with the Crusaders again winning 25-22. The Greyhounds battled back from an early deficit, narrowing the gap late behind kills from Addie Lowe and Mariah Sanabia. 

In the fourth and final set, Holy Cross dominated from the start, racing out to a 9-4 lead and never looking back en route to a 25-12 victory.

Sekunda paced Loyola with 12 kills, while Lowe and Nepkin each added nine. Addie Huber had 23 digs, and Gabi Verdicchio had 21 assists. Joffe contributed six blocks, Sanabia had five total and Nepkin added four.