Loyola Maryland Volleyball Falls to Army West Point in Four Sets Despite Strong Start at Reitz Arena
By Brian Hradsky
FINAL: Army West Point 3, Loyola Maryland 1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-21)
BALTIMORE — Loyola University Maryland women’s volleyball opened Saturday’s Patriot League showdown with a promising first-set victory, but Army West Point responded with three consecutive set wins to defeat the Greyhounds 3-1 on October 24, 2026, at Reitz Arena. The loss dropped Loyola to 7-13 overall and 5-6 in conference play, while Army improved to 11-9 overall and 5-6 in the Patriot League. The Greyhounds showed offensive balance throughout the afternoon but struggled to contain Army’s attack during the middle stages of the match. A late fourth-set comeback by the Black Knights ultimately prevented Loyola from forcing a decisive fifth set.
Loyola Opens With an Impressive First Set
The Greyhounds established themselves early by taking advantage of Army’s offensive mistakes and delivering an efficient attacking performance. Loyola hit .257 in the opening set while Army committed nine attack errors, allowing the home team to capture a competitive 25-23 victory. Sydnee Peters, Ava Nepkin and Addie Lowe each contributed three kills during the first set, helping Loyola establish offensive balance. The performance gave the Greyhounds an early advantage and an opportunity to build momentum in front of their home supporters.
Loyola’s opening-set success demonstrated how effectively the Greyhounds could compete when limiting mistakes and maintaining offensive consistency. The combination of timely kills and Army’s errors helped Loyola withstand a close battle. However, the Black Knights gradually adjusted their offensive approach as the match continued. Those adjustments would prove decisive over the following two sets.
Army Takes Control of the Middle Sets
Army West Point responded in the second set with improved attacking efficiency and stronger execution. The Black Knights recorded a .179 hitting percentage while limiting Loyola to just .040, winning the set 25-17 to even the match. Loyola managed seven kills during the second frame after producing 13 in the opener. The shift in offensive production allowed Army to take control of the match’s momentum.
The third set became the defining stretch of the afternoon as Army delivered its most efficient offensive performance. The Black Knights registered 20 kills against only two attack errors, producing an exceptional .563 hitting percentage. Loyola countered with a respectable .278 hitting percentage but could not match Army’s sustained offensive pressure. Army claimed the set 25-18 and moved within one set of securing the conference victory.
Fourth-Set Rally Falls Short
Loyola refused to surrender and appeared positioned to extend the match during the fourth set. An Addie Huber service ace helped the Greyhounds establish a 16-13 advantage, putting pressure on Army to respond. The Black Knights recovered and tied the score at 17, setting up a dramatic finish. Both teams continued battling for control as the set entered its final points.
Ava Nepkin delivered a crucial kill that gave Loyola a 21-20 lead and renewed hope of forcing a fifth set. However, Army responded by winning five consecutive points to complete a 25-21 fourth-set victory. The late scoring run turned a potential Loyola comeback into a disappointing home defeat. The Greyhounds had positioned themselves to extend the contest but could not finish the opportunity.
Loyola’s Offensive Leaders
Ava Nepkin and Morgan Crawford led Loyola with nine kills apiece, while Mariah Sanabia contributed eight. Sydnee Peters and Elsie Afful each recorded seven kills, and Addie Lowe added six. Six Greyhounds finished with at least six kills, illustrating the team’s ability to distribute offensive responsibilities. Loyola finished with 46 total kills and a .171 hitting percentage.
Crawford delivered one of Loyola’s most complete performances, adding 13 digs, three block assists and a service ace to her nine kills. Afful contributed seven kills, two service aces and four total blocks, providing production in several areas. Sanabia was particularly efficient offensively, recording eight kills on 16 attempts with only two errors for a .375 hitting percentage. Those performances gave Loyola several encouraging individual contributions despite the defeat.
The Greyhounds also received meaningful production from their setters and defensive specialists. Madison Monahan finished with 20 assists, while Gabi Verdicchio added 19 assists and eight digs. Addie Huber led Loyola with 17 digs and contributed five assists and a service ace. Nepkin also recorded 12 digs, giving the Greyhounds three players with double-digit digs.
Army’s Offensive Efficiency Makes the Difference
Army finished the afternoon with 58 kills compared with Loyola’s 46, creating a significant offensive advantage. The Black Knights also recorded eight service aces and nine team blocks, while Loyola finished with four aces and five blocks. Army’s .248 overall hitting percentage exceeded Loyola’s .171 mark. Those differences helped explain how Army recovered after losing the opening set.
Marlee Lightsey led Army with 15 kills, while Michelle Parker contributed 14 and Juliette Myrick added 12. Parker produced an especially efficient performance, hitting .478 on 23 attacks and adding three total blocks. Nicole Stroud strengthened Army’s effort with five service aces and 18 digs. The combination of offensive firepower and defensive production ultimately proved too much for Loyola.
What the Loss Means for Loyola
The result left both teams with identical 5-6 Patriot League records following Saturday’s contest. For Loyola, the defeat highlighted the importance of sustaining offensive efficiency across an entire match rather than relying on strong individual sets. The Greyhounds demonstrated their ability to challenge Army early and again during the fourth set. However, maintaining that level of execution against a conference opponent remains essential.
Loyola’s offensive distribution offered an encouraging sign heading into the remainder of its conference schedule. Six players contributing meaningful kill totals gives the Greyhounds several attacking options and reduces their dependence on a single offensive leader. The challenge will be converting that balance into sustained scoring runs and stronger late-set execution. Saturday’s result showed both the team’s potential and the areas requiring improvement.
MSB Take: Loyola Must Learn to Finish Close Sets
Loyola had legitimate opportunities to push Army West Point into a fifth set, particularly after taking a 21-20 lead in the fourth. Allowing five consecutive points at that stage was the most damaging stretch of the match. The Greyhounds showed enough offensive ability to compete, but closing out tight situations must become a priority. Against Patriot League competition, a handful of late points can determine an entire match.
Morgan Crawford’s all-around contribution and Mariah Sanabia’s efficiency were especially encouraging. Loyola also benefited from strong defensive work by Addie Huber and consistent setting contributions from Madison Monahan and Gabi Verdicchio. If the Greyhounds can combine those individual performances with improved consistency, they have an opportunity to become more competitive in the closing stages of conference play. Saturday’s loss was frustrating, but it also provided clear lessons for the team.
What’s Next for Loyola Maryland?
Loyola’s next scheduled match is Friday, October 30, against Bucknell at 7 p.m. The road contest provides another opportunity for the Greyhounds to strengthen their position in Patriot League play. Improving offensive consistency and finishing close sets should be important priorities following the Army defeat. Loyola will look to translate its encouraging stretches against the Black Knights into a more complete performance against Bucknell.
