Sept. 17, 2011

Final Stats

The Siena volleyball team opened its 2011 MAAC schedule with a difficult five-set (25-18, 18-25, 25-23, 26-28 and 15-13) setback at Loyola. The Saints rallied from a 2-1 deficit to force a fifth set, and led 9-8 in the race to 15, before succumbing by the slimmest of margins.

Freshman Rachel Stoklosa enjoyed the best performance of her young career, killing 14 of her 37 attacks on the outside, and amassing six digs. Taylor Akana equaled a match-high with 18 kills, and rounded out a double-double with 11 digs.

Siena got back in the match after Sarah Sivertson was inserted into the setting spot after a tough 25-23 loss in the third set that gave Loyola a 2-1 lead. Sivertson finished with 16 assists, 16 digs and six kills. Libero Lesli Akeo had 24 digs to pace Siena's defense.

Loyola won the match on a Siena service error after grabbing a 14-12 lead with consecutive kills by Faye Lucas. Lucas had 17 kills, one shy of teammate Jac Bullock. Tina Catanach posted a double-double with 16 kills and 14 digs, and libero Janet Pressler compiled 30 digs to lead all players.

After dropping the first set 25-18, Siena regrouped and posted a 25-18 win in the second. The Saints led late in the third set, 18-17, but Loyola scored when it mattered most, taking control of the match with a 25-23 win. The Saints fought off a match-point to take the fourth set 28-26, but led just once in the decisive frame.

Stoklosa's performance was a definite bright spot, as head coach Garvey Pierre looks for the freshman to provide balance on the outside when Akana rotates back. The Saints will try to even up their league record when they travel back north to face Rider at 2 p.m. Sunday in Lawrenceville.