HARRISONBURG, Va. – Loyola University Maryland volleyball later was within a point late in the third set, down 24-23, but host James Madison University closed out the match for a three-set victory over the Greyhounds, 25-14, 25-20, 25-23, in the season opener for both teams.
Loyola built a 19-17 lead in the third set after scoring seven of 10 points.
Mariah Sanabia's kills gave the Greyhounds a two-point lead, but James Madison came back to score the next two, tying the set on a Sydney Lewis ace.
Addie Norman gave the Dukes a 20-19 lead with a solo block, but a James Madison attack error tied the set again. The teams traded points again and were tied 21-21 before the Dukes scored the next two points.
Loyola got back within one when
Sydnee Peters converted a kill to make the score 24-23, but a Greyhounds service error closed the match for James Madison.
Addie Lowe led Loyola with seven kills, while
Morgan Crawford had six and
Ava Nepkin and Sanabia each added five.
The teams will meet again on Saturday in Harrisonburg, Virginia, for a 2 o'clock match on Saturday afternoon.
