Volleyball: Loyola-Marymount, Colorado beat Irish
By: CHRIS FEDERICO
Sports Editor
The volleyball team suffered its first setback of the season Friday in the Loyola-Marymount Classic in Los Angeles. The Irish dropped their opening game of the tournament to the host Lions 3-1 (30-26, 16-30, 23-30, 24-30). Notre Dame stumbled again in their next match Saturday, losing a tight match to Colorado in straight sets (30-25, 30-24, 30-26).
"It was disappointing for us," Irish sophomore Emily Loomis said. "I don't think we expected to lose so early in the season."
The Irish salvaged the tournament with a victory over Saint Louis University in the nightcap Saturday. Notre Dame cruised over the Billikens in three games (30-25, 30-13, 30-19).
"I think it was good for our confidence to get that win Saturday," Loomis said. "We played very strong and showed a lot of heart in that match. It was good to be able to come back home with at least that win."
The Irish won the first set of the opener against Loyola before falling victim to some sloppy hitting. The combination of their .106 team hitting percentage and the 26 kills and 15 digs of Loyola-Marymount's Kristen Gallup was too much for the Irish to overcome.
In their second loss of the tournament, the Irish had difficulty getting production from their front line as the team managed only four blocks.
Junior Jessica Kinder lead the team in digs for the match with 11 while classmate Kim Fletcher was impressive in her first start, leading the team in kills with 10.
"My first start could have been better, considering we lost," Fletcher said. "But it was good to be out there."
Later that night, the Irish earned a little redemption with the victory over the Billikens.
The team greatly improved its hitting Saturday night, earning a solid .430 team hitting average. Loomis was the leader on the team with 15 kills.
"That win was great for us — everything just clicked," Fletcher said.
Junior Kristen Kinder finished the weekend with 11 kills, 97 assists and 15 digs and was named to the all-tournament team for the second week in a row. Two weeks ago, Kinder was named the MVP of the Shamrock Invitational, held at the Joyce Center.
The 1-2 performance during the tournament brings the team's record to 4-2 overall.
The Irish return to action Tuesday, as they travel to Valparaiso to wrap up their four-game road trip.
"Valparaiso hasn't been consistently all that strong," Fletcher said. "But it will be a good match for us, and it will give us a chance to get back playing soon."
All Sports Stories for Monday, September 9, 2002
