Box Score Aug. 28, 2015 Box Score | Photo Gallery 
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -
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Sophomore Sarah Sponcil collected a triple-double to open the 2015 LMU volleyball season, but the Lions (0-1) dropped a four-set match to Virginia (1-0) on Friday night in front of a raucous crowd of 1,563 in LMU's Gersten Pavilion. The match was a highlight of Move-In Weekend and Freshman Orientation, as freshmen and their families were invited to dine at the In-N-Out truck and attend the match as a welcome to campus.
Sponcil, a native of Phoenix, Ariz., teamed 13 kills with 17 digs and 28 assists as the Lions fell, 26-24, 23-25, 22-25, 25-27. While she was a primary target on the attack in LMU's first-set victory, and finished the match hitting .476 (13-3/21), Sponcil had to take over the setting duties in the second when senior Hannah Tedrow left due to an apparent injury.
Newcomer Jamie Lea added 19 kills for the Lions, but Virginia totaled 10.5 team blocks, including six blocks from Alex Thorson, en route to victory. The Cavalier serving game also caused fits for LMU, as the Lions, who pride themselves on the serving game, succumb to eight service aces while serving up only five of their own to accompany eight service errors.
Kayla Sears led the way for Virginia, totaling 18 kills on 35 swings for a .400 hitting percentage, while Natalie Bausback served up four of the eight Cavalier aces. Lauren Fuller set the attack to a .242 clip, dishing out a match-best 48 assists.
All four of the sets proved close, as the two teams battled to 42 total tie scores and 17 lead changes throughout the match. The largest score differential came in the third set, as the Lions fell by three points at 25-22.
Following the match, freshmen were encouraged to attend a pep rally held in Gersten Pavilion. The Lions will return to action on Sunday when they visit #20 UCLA for a match at 5 pm.
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