BALTIMORE – The Holy Cross volleyball team fell by a 3-0 score to Patriot League opponent Loyola (Md.) Friday evening in Reitz Arena.

The setback sends the Crusaders to 2-19, 0-10 PL while the Greyhounds race out to an 8-9, 6-4 PL mark.
 
SET SCORES:

• Greyhounds 3, Crusaders 0 (20-25, 20-25, 18-25)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Loyola began the match by scoring four straight markers. Holy Cross notched five in a row with Lane putting in an ace to give the Crusaders the lead at 5-4. Both teams swapped points over the next multiple possessions leveling the set at 11-11. Four straight kills by Loyola regained the four point lead for the hosts at the media stoppage. Trailing by three, Holy Cross tied the set 18-18. A 7-2 run by the Hounds clinched the first set.
• A 5-2 Crusader stretch that included a senior Gracyn Benck and junior Sanaea Simmons block at the middle moved the away team ahead early. Holding a one point lead, Holy Cross scrapped together four straight points with Simmons smacking a free ball from the middle for the 15-10 Crusader margin at the media timeout. With an 18-13 deficit, Loyola closed the set on a 12-2 run producing the final six points for the 2-0 match lead.
• In the third set, Loyola was in front 8-3. Holy Cross got three straight points to make it 8-6. A 4-1 mini burst by the hosts increased their lead to 12-7 forcing the Crusaders into a timeout. Out of the timeout, Holy Cross scored two points via a sophomore Rian Millership and Benck block with a Loyola attack error. Another block by Simmons with Lane assisting pulled Holy Cross within one, 16-15. The Greyhounds closed the match out for the three set win.

INSIDE THE BOX:

• Lane and Benck had seven kills apiece leading the Crusaders.
• Benck's five total blocks matched her previous career high last recorded on October 5, 2019 at Army West Point.
• Holy Cross had a far superior net presence than Loyola totaling seven total blocks to the Greyhounds' two.

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross heads to the state capital of Maryland, Annapolis, for a 4 p.m. conference showdown with Navy, Saturday October 22.

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