OXFORD, Miss. — Loyola Marymount University (1-0, 0-0 West Coast Conference) secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Northern Arizona University (0-1, 0-0 Big Sky) on Friday at the Gillom Athletics Performance Center, with set scores of 25-22, 25-22, and 25-18. The Lions outperformed Northern Arizona with a .308 attack percentage and recorded 46 kills to Northern Arizona's 37.
Nicole Schuetz led the Lions with a dominant offensive performance, finishing with a team-high 21 kills on a .563 hitting percentage while adding eight digs and two block assists for 23.0 points.
Maria Tabacuks added 12 kills on .250 hitting with eight digs and three assists, totaling 13.5 points.
Delfina Schuh directed the LMU offense with 38 assists while contributing seven digs, a service ace and two block assists.
Zaria Thornton provided another efficient presence at the net, recording five kills on .300 hitting with three block assists and 6.5 points.
The first set of play began with Loyola Marymount University taking an early lead through a kill by
Maria Tabacuks, assisted by
Delfina Schuh. Northern Arizona quickly responded, leveling the score with a kill by Gigi Greenlee. The teams traded points throughout the set, with
Nicole Schuetz being a key contributor for LMU, recording several kills. As the set progressed, Northern Arizona's Quincey Coyle delivered a service ace, pushing their lead to 17-15. However, the Lions staged a comeback, capitalizing on attack errors by Hanah Stoddard and a decisive block by
Camille Pomeroy and Tabacuks. With the score tied at 22, LMU secured the final three points, including a concluding kill by Schuetz, to win the set 25-22.
In the second set, LMU secured a narrow win over Northern Arizona 25-22. The Lions' offensive efforts were bolstered by Schuetz, who consistently found success with multiple kills set up by Schuh. Throughout the set, LMU capitalized on Northern Arizona's errors, including critical service mistakes that gave LMU points at key moments. Tabacuks delivered the final two kills of the set, with Schuh assisting, to close out the set in favor of the home team.
LMU secured a 25-18 victory in the third set against Northern Arizona, capitalizing on a series of successful attacks and opponent errors. Schuetz and Tabacuks contributed significantly to the scoring, with Schuetz registering multiple kills, notably extending the lead to 23-16 with a kill from Schuh. Additionally, Schuh's consistent setting facilitated numerous attacks, aiding LMU's scoring momentum. Northern Arizona struggled with service errors, including a critical error by Kate Federico that handed LMU set point at 24-17. Pomeroy clinched the final point with a kill from Schuh, sealing the set for the Lions.
Looking ahead, LMU will face Southeastern Louisana on Saturday, Aug. 29, at noon. The game will take place in Oxford, Mississippi, marking a road contest for LMU.
