Box Score WEST LAFAYETTE, IND. – Making their 2021 season debuts, the LMU women's volleyball team proved they could play with a top-10 nationally ranked team. The Lions (0-1) took the second set from #8 Purdue (1-0) before ultimately deciding the match in four, 25-22, 23-25, 25-22, 25-20.
 
"I'm really proud of how well our team played within themselves in a really exciting environment here at Purdue," said Head Coach Aaron Mansfield. "We are just scratching the surface with what we are capable of doing in a lot of different areas of the game. It was awesome to see how much improvement that has taken place with this group in the last couple of weeks. We are excited at the opportunity to compete again tomorrow against Kansas."
 
LMU took an 11-8 lead in the first set after five straight points put the Lions in the lead. Back-to-back kills by Megan Rice then Mary Shroll forced a Purdue timeout and gave LMU the 17-16 advantage. Despite the Lions preventing three straight set points, Purdue took the first game 25-22.
 
Despite falling behind 17-14 and 20-17 in the second set, LMU closed out strong to pick up the game. The Lions scored eight of the final 11 points and broke a 23-all tie to take the set and punctuated the win with one of her 17 kills. The Lions hit .364 in the second set, the highest mark of the day for LMU.
 
Thanks to a fast start in the third set, LMU jumped ahead 10-5 over the Boilermakers. Purdue fought back to take a lead before the Lions scored consecutive points to jump back ahead, 18-17.  Purdue ultimately took the set 25-22.
 
The final set was the only one played that LMU never led, but still put together 20 points to keep the game close before the match was ultimately decided.
 
Rice led the Lions with 18 kills and Shroll started her season with 44 assists and three aces.
 
LMU will play Kansas on Saturday. The Jayhawks are receiving votes in the national poll. The match will begin at 11:00 a.m. PST, and 2:00 p.m. local time. No live stream will be provided.