Aug. 31, 2002

Final Stats

The Loyola Marymount University volleyball team dropped its first match of the season in the championship tilt of the LMU Invitational at Gersten Pavilion, Saturday night. The Lions fell 30-27, 30-27 and 30-27 to the Duke Blue Devils. LMU fell to 2-1 on the season, while Duke moved 3-0, claiming the title.

For the third straight game, senior Kristen Gallup led the Lions. The All-West Coast Conference performer posted a game-high 19 kills on 56 attempts. She also had a game-high 18 digs, while Kea Kimball added 13 digs.

LMU scored four consecutive points to take a 12-8 lead in the third game. Lions maintained the advantage until the Blue Devils tied the game at 20. The two teams battled back and fourth, but finally Duke was able to put the game away.

The Blue Devils took a 4-0 lead to start the second game and never trailed. LMU was able to get within two at 28-26, the closest since 5-3, on a Krista Houseman kill, but Duke was able to prevail.

Duke took a 12-8 lead in the opening game, but following a LMU timeout the Lions scored six of the next seven points to take a 14-13 advantage, highlighted by a Tiana Newsome kill. The game remained tight until the Lions were able to take a 27-23 lead after a Blue Devil hitting error. But Duke scored the final seven points of the game, capped by a Tassy Rufai kill.

Duke's Jill Sonne was named the tournament's most valuable player award. Fellow Blue Devils Rachel Vander Griend and Krista Dill joined Sonne on the all-tournament team along with Gallup and Dina DeBernardi. Oklahoma's Megan O'Connell and Bradley's Jenna Passman were also named to the all-tournament team.

The Lions will return to action next Friday when the host the LMU Classic. LMU will open at 7 p.m. with Notre Dame. That will be preceded with a 5 p.m. match featuring Colorado and Saint Louis.