TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Stillman College put together one of its best home volleyball performances in Southern States Athletic Conference action on Saturday against preseason No. 1 Loyola University. While the Tigers fell in three sets (25-10, 25-16, 25-9), its 35 points scored matched its second-best total at home in a conference match this season. Twenty points were created by Stillman for the second-best SSAC performance of the season.
Stillman matched Loyola point-for-point through the first eight serves, but the Wolfpack used a #-point run to pull away in the first set.
In the second set, Stillman scored its highest second-set point total at home this season. The Tigers and Wolfpack once again matched points through a 6-6 tie. Loyola responded with a 4-0 to lead 10-6, before Stillman broke serve. The Wolfpack used another 3-0 run to build their lead, 13-7, before a
Kamryn Harris kill cut it to five points, 13-8. Loyola added another 3-0 run before the teams traded a pair of points. Trailing 18-10, Stillman scored six of the next 13 serves, but was unable to close out the set, as Loyola won it 25-16.
Aeraeonna Manuel, who led all players through two sets with five kills, finished with a career-high seven kills and an ace.
Khadeja Bryant had three kills, two service aces and a block to score a career-high six points. Bryant's .500 attack percentage on six attempts was the best performance by a Tiger player this season.
On the weekend, Stillman posted its best two-day attack percentage for the season (.027), while playing against two of the top four teams in the SSAC.
Kala Emanueli led Loyola with nine kills, followed by Natalie Burkholder's seven and Emma Fahy's six. Sydney Love had five. Gracie Bailey and Gabby Masiello had 13 and 12 assists, respectively, while Dallis Brown had 13 digs.
Stillman (0-10, 0-9 SSAC) will remain home next weekend to host the University of Mobile on Friday at 6 p.m. and Faulkner University on Saturday at 2 p.m.
