LINCOLN, Neb. – The Loyola Marymount University volleyball team (4-4) split on its first day at the Nebraska Tournament in Lincoln Nebraska, as the team fell to University of Denver 3-2, and swept High Point University 3-0.
 
LMU vs. Denver – 25-20, 21-25, 25-20, 23-25, 12-15
The Lions opened up the Nebraska Tournament against University of Denver, where LMU fought until the end, forcing a fifth set, but fell to the Pioneers. 
 
Rose Booth opened up the first set with a kill, putting the Lions on the board first. Denver quickly tied things up and took the lead. The Lions and the Pioneers tied things up seven times and had four lead changes. Tied at 13-13, the Lions gained momentum, as they were down 13-10 and then went on a 9-0 run to maintain the lead for the rest of the set, coming out on top 25-20. 
 
Up 1-0, LMU battled through set two, as Booth opened up set two with a kill. There were 15 tie scores and seven lead changes. Denver took the second set 25-21. 
 
Tied at 1-1, Booth set the tone for the Lions in her third straight set, putting the first point on the board. Denver was only able to tie things up twice, and never took the lead. Another kill from Booth ended the set, giving the Lions a 25-20 win. 
 
Denver responded in the fourth set after Meredith Teague but the Lions on the board first. Denver tied things up and the teams fought for the lead. There were seven tie scores and three lead changes. The set was neck and neck, as Denver won by only the two points it needed. 
 
Tied at 2-2, the Lions battled through the fifth set, with five tie scores and two lead changes, but they came up short, as Denver took the set 15-12, winning the match. 
 
Booth led the team in kills with 20, while Savannah Slattery had 17. Tess Reid set her season high in assists with 57, while having three service aces and led the team in digs with 15. The team had six total blocks, compared to Denver's eight, while Teague had three block assists. 
 
LMU vs. High Point University – 25-14, 25-15, 26-24
The Lions bounced back in their second match of the day, as they picked up a quick sweep over HPU. Reid opened up the first set with a service ace, putting the Lions on the board. HPU tied things up three times, but never took the lead. Tied at 4-4, the Lions went on a 9-0 run and then extended the lead to 12 points. A kill from Emmelyn Walters gave the Lions the first set win. 
 
Up 1-0, the Lions maintained momentum, as they were on the board first after a service error from High Point. HPU tied things up twice early on, but couldn't compete with the Lions. LMU extended its lead and won the set 25-15. 
 
The Lions took the first lead of the third set, HPU quickly responded, tying things up. The teams battled throughout the set, as the score was tied 10 times and there were four lead changes. Down 24-23, a kill from Slattery tied things up. A service ace from Bo Culo and then another kill from Slattery would give the Lions the set win and the match win. 
 
Slattery led the team in kills with 14, while Reid had 29 of the Lions' 35 assists. Mary Shroll led the team in digs with 16. 
 
Up next: The Lions will be back in action Saturday morning to take on No. 2 Nebraska.