SAN DIEGO - University of San Diego volleyball (7-7) ended its two-game winning streak with a loss to the Loyola Marymount Lions (14-2). The Toreros lost in five sets (13-25, 26-24, 25-17, 22-25, 15-12) in front of 551 spectators, with a group of USD volleyball alumni present and a good number of LMU fans traveling to Jenny Craig Pavilion for the match.
USD is 38-9 historically against LMU, coming away from the most recent match last November with a clean sweep. USD is now 2-2 in West Coast Conference play. LMU continued their undefeated 5-0 conference record.
Set One
USD pulled forward early, up 7-1 before the first timeout. Two kills each by Kierstyn Barton and Ryann Knuth, followed by a point-saving dig by libero Lauren Lynch gave the Toreros the early momentum. USD went on a 9-0 run that put them up 12-1, a lead that LMU never recovered from. “San Diego” chants from the Toreros spurred on the team to score another four in a row to take the first set 25-13. Lynch led the first set with six digs, Barton led with 10 total attacks and Knuth rounded out the first-set stats with five kills. Kylie Munday also contributed with eight assists.
Set Two
The Toreros started out the second set strong, going up 14-7. The back-and-forth then continued, USD still up by seven a few traded points later. Four consecutive points from LMU prompted a timeout with USD still leading, 19-15. The brief break in play proved successful for the Toreros, as they responded with a 23-17 lead. However, the Lions weren’t finished. LMU went on to score six points in a row, tying at 23. Knuth was able to rack up her ninth kill, but LMU immediately reacted with two more points to take the lead for the first time, 25-24. Another difficult point gave LMU the second set, 26-24. Knuth owned the stats through the first and second sets though, with team-high nine kills, 21 total attacks and eight digs. Munday notched another 11 assists for a team-high total of 19.
USD setter Kylie Munday. Photo credit: Miguel Mejia/Miguel Mejia Photography
Set Three
The two teams went back and forth until 8-7, when LMU started to gain momentum. Seven consecutive points then gave LMU the lead, 15-7. Although USD went on a 4-0 run later in the set, it wasn’t enough. LMU ultimately won 25-17. Barton led USD’s stats with 10 kills (tied with Knuth) and 28 total attacks. Knuth still claimed the digs with 11. Munday continued to own the assists at 27.
Set Four
Runs of four and six points put USD ahead, 18-14. Barton’s back-to-back kill and service ace earned the Toreros another two points. Now four points away from winning their much-needed second set to stay alive, the Toreros allowed LMU to score three more back-to-back points to make the score 21-17. Inching closer, Meghan Scholz notched a kill for the Toreros, but LMU stayed close, 24-22. Beach’s ninth kill narrowly earned the Toreros the fourth set, 25-22.
Set Five
Forcing a fifth set, both USD and LMU refused to let go, trading points until the score was tied at 11. LMU secured the remaining four points to win the match. USD head coach Jennifer Petrie received a red card towards the end of the emotional fifth set, and LMU’s head coach also got a card.
“I think we're just kind of in a spot where we're done losing,” said Barton. “We're done feeling this way, and we're ready to come in tomorrow during practice, and just be a better team and do it for each other.”
USD outside hitter Kierstyn Barton. Photo credit: Miguel Mejia/Miguel Mejia Photography
Barton finished with a team-high 14 kills, Beach had 45 total attacks, Munday had 40 total assists and Lynch led with 18 digs.
Barton also commented on the high emotions that ran during the two and a half hour match.
“I think the refs were a little irritated with us as a team because we weren't coming out on time after the timeouts,” Barton said. “In my opinion, I think the refs had a little animosity towards us because of that. And so, I think that really got us fired up, a little too much.”
Coach Petrie was unavailable for questions after the match.
Up next for the Toreros is a noon matchup versus Pepperdine on Saturday. The second conference clash in a week, this will mark their last home game at JCP before leaving for a four-game road trip. The team is celebrating Beach Night (fittingly during a match against the Pepperdine Waves) and there will be a USD Beach Towel giveaway. Purchase tickets here.
Top photo: USD outside hitter Ryann Knuth. Miguel Mejia/Miguel Mejia Photography
