WASHINGTON - American University volleyball's long win streak against Loyola Maryland was in jeopardy a year ago, and this time the Greyhounds closed it out with a 3-1 win over the Eagles by score of 25-17, 22-25, 25-22 and 25-15. It was the first win of the season for Loyola, now 1-2, while American moves to 2-2 overall.
NOTABLE
- The play of freshman Katie Putney was a bright spot for AU, as she hit .417 with 10 kills and zero errors.
- Sophomore Asli Celikkol was similarly error-free with five kills, also posting 12 digs.
- Freshman Talia Borenstein saw her first significant action and responded with her first double-double, posting 14 assists and 10 digs.
- Senior Chiara Bosetti led the Eagles with 23 digs, and sophomore Ally DeGaray recorded 11.
- One of the Patriot League's leaders in blocking, junior Carlie Fikse kept it up with a match-high six blocks to go with five kills.
- The Eagles were shorthanded at the match due to a combination of injuries, illness and COVID protocols.
- The win was the Greyhounds' first over AU since 1992. Each of the last three matches between the teams had gone five sets during 2018 and 2019.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The difference in kills was striking, as the Greyhounds finished with 57 of them to AU's 34.
- Errors plagued both teams throughout the match, and Loyola had just a small edge in hitting percentage overall.
- The first set got away from the Eagles after a 10-10 tie when Loyola rattled off five straight points and kept the lead the rest of the way.
- After eight ties in the second set, the last at 16-16, Celikkol served out six straight points and AU surged ahead, 23-16.
- The Greyhounds made it close, coming within two at 23-21 and 24-22, but Fikse put one down for a kill and AU's only set win of the match.
- An 8-1 Loyola run midway through the third set was good enough for a 20-12 lead, and the Greyhounds carried that momentum the rest of the way.
- The fourth set was the closest of all, with the 14th tie coming at 19-19. From there, Loyola took over and closed out the match on a 6-1 run.
UP NEXT
- The Eagles are scheduled to host Navy at home on Wednesday, March 24 at 7 p.m. (ESPN+).
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