FT. COLLINS, COLO – Behind the hitting of Kyleen Bell (Rocklin, Calif.) who posted a career-high 23 kills on 32 attempts (.656), the Georgia Tech (8-2) volleyball team defeated Loyola-Chicago (3-4) in three games, 15-10, 15-8, 15-11 on Friday night in their first match in the Coors Light Classic.
The Yellow Jackets jumped out ahead 7-2 and never relinquished the lead as they captured game one of the match by playing strong defense. They held the Ramblers to a .000 hitting percentage and recorded three stuff blocks. Maja Pachale (Schwerin, Germany) and Kele Eveland (Grand Rapids, Mich.) each recorded five digs in the game, while Amanda Hess (Indianapolis, Ind.) also tallied two service aces.
Game two saw Tech lead early, 5-1, but the Ramblers would battle to make the score 5-4, capitalizing on several Jacket errors. Tech regained the serve and momentum in the game on a kill by Bell, which helped the Jackets take a 14-6 lead. In the game, Ida Mabry (Divjake, Albania) posted four kills and one block assist.
Tech had control of game three early as they gained a 9-3 lead as Mabry posted two kills. The Ramblers would challenge Tech as they came back to make it 13-11 before Hess had a kill and Bell scored on match point.
The Ramblers were led by Sarah Poglits who had 15 kills, while Kelly Price and Renee Nash each had 13 digs.
Pachale had 11 kills and 12 digs on the night, while Mabry tallied 10 kills and four stuff blocks. The offensive responsibilities were shared as Eveland recorded 36 assists and Courtney Adler notched 14.
Georgia Tech will face Massachusetts (3-3) at 10 a.m. Saturday morning in its second match of the Coors Light Classic, followed by a 7 p.m. meeting with host fourth-ranked Colorado State.
