In an exciting showdown at Wesley A. Brown Field House in Annapolis, the Navy volleyball team clinched a four-set victory against Loyola, finishing 25-17, 22-25, 25-21, 25-21 on Thursday night. With Farrah Eike and Anuhea Hauanio-Lore combining for 25 kills, the Mids (5-18, 5-9) secured their fifth win of the season. Despite a solid effort, the Greyhounds (9-14, 7-7) couldn’t keep up with Navy’s strong finishes in the final two sets.
Navy Dominates Set One
Navy took control early in the match, building a 10-5 lead that eventually stretched to 17-10. Both teams registered 12 kills, but Navy’s efficiency shone through with a .385 hitting percentage compared to Loyola’s .172. Additionally, the Mids served up four aces while preventing any aces from Loyola, showcasing their dominance in the opening set.
Loyola’s Response in Set Two
Loyola rebounded in set two with aggressive play, taking an early 10-5 lead. Navy fought back, leveling the score at 19-19, but Loyola responded with quick points to reclaim the lead. Although Navy led in hitting percentage (.167 to .073), Loyola’s advantage in total kills (13-10) allowed them to edge out a 25-22 win.
Navy’s Resilience in Set Three
Set three saw the Mids overcome a 10-5 deficit with Hauanio-Lore’s key plays, eventually tying the score at 13-13. Despite Loyola’s brief advantage, Navy surged ahead with a critical service run by Hauanio-Lore, building a 21-18 lead. Eike broke a 21-21 tie with a key kill, followed by Ava Toppin’s block to help Navy claim the set 25-21. Navy achieved their best hitting of the match here, with a .353 percentage and 15 kills.
Navy’s Strong Finish in Set Four
Loyola took an early 8-7 lead in set four, but Navy countered with a six-point run to move ahead 13-7. Despite Loyola’s attempts to rally, Navy’s powerful kills and Loyola’s attack errors helped Navy secure the set 25-21, sealing the match.
Key Performances and Statistics
Navy ended the match with 53 kills and a .299 hitting percentage, compared to Loyola’s 44 kills and .088 hitting percentage. Navy’s defense was also strong with 12 blocks, as Toppin contributed six while Eike led with 15 kills at a .316 hitting percentage. Hauanio-Lore added 10 kills, six digs, and three blocks, while Julia Humphrey excelled with nine kills on 14 attempts and a .643 hitting percentage.
Head coach Paco Labrador praised the team’s blocking performance: “We’ve focused on making our blockers impactful, and tonight it showed with some great moves from everyone.” He commended his players, highlighting Farrah Eike‘s shot diversity, Anuhea Hauanio-Lore‘s impact in the later sets, and Julia Humphrey‘s smart playmaking.
This home-court victory marks a promising step forward for Navy, boosting their momentum as they push through the remainder of the season.
