LOS ANGELES – The Lions came out on top in a thrilling home opener, battling the Ohio Bobcats for a nail-biting 3-2 victory on Thursday night.

In the first set, Ohio jumped to an early 8-4 lead, but a service error from the Bobcats opened the door for the Lions to score three straight points, highlighted by a Delfina Schuh service ace that put LMU ahead 12-11. The Bobcats regained control for most of the set until a crucial kill from Sophia Meyers started a four-point streak, evening the score at 18-18. Ohio responded with five consecutive points, forcing an LMU timeout. The set remained tight, going past 25 points and tying twice before back-to-back kills by Meyers and Leah Burrell secured the 29-27 set win for the Lions.

In set two Ohio took control, jumping out to an 11-4 lead. The Lions fought back with a five-point run, cutting the deficit to 15-13 with a kill from Paige Flickinger. LMU kept the set competitive but couldn't overtake the Bobcats, who secured the 25-21 set win.

Ohio carried their momentum into set three, opening with a nine-point rally for an 11-3 lead. LMU answered with three quick points but still found themselves behind, eventually losing the set 25-16 as the Bobcats extended their lead in the match.

In the fourth set, LMU struck first, scoring the opening two points. The teams stayed neck and neck until a kill by Burrell sparked a four-point rally, giving the Lions a 20-17 lead and forcing Ohio to call timeout. The Bobcats fought back to tie at 20-20, but LMU fought harder when a kill by Jiana Lawson and a block assist from Lawson and Olivia Toland put them ahead. Flickinger closed the set with a powerful kill for a 25-21 win, pushing the match to a decisive fifth set.

The Lions took control early in the final set, securing the first three points. Ohio stayed close, trailing by just one, until a Meyers kill started a 5-0 run that put LMU in striking distance at 14-9. Flickinger once again delivered the final blow, clinching the set 15-10 and the match 3-2 for the Lions.

Key performers for LMU included Meyers and Toland with 12 kills each, Sam Hastings with 13 digs, Mia Schafer with 22 assists, and Meyers contributing 18.5 points. Lawson led both teams with six blocks.

The Lions are back in action tomorrow at 6 PM, taking on the Utah State Aggies at Gersten Pavilion.

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