Drovers Drop a Pair of Matches on Day One of Wolf Pack Welcome

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Friday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (0-2, 0-0 SAC) opened the 2025 season at the Wolf Pack Welcome in NOLA. The Drovers opened the day with a three-set loss against Xavier University (La.), prior to a three-set loss against the host, Loyola University New Orleans.

vs XULA (1-0, 0-0 RRAC)

The season opener did not go quite as the Drovers would have liked, suffering a three-set loss in their first match of the Wolf Pack Welcome.

The Drovers struggled slightly early in the set, but quickly turned things around and managed to trim the deficit to 13-12 midway through. After a brief scoring-run by the Gold Nuggets, the Drovers caught fire and claimed their first lead of the set at 20-19. However, XULA managed to put together a 6-1 run to win the first set 25-21.

USAO fell behind early in the second set and struggled to gain any momentum, ultimately suffering a 25-14 defeat.

The Drovers jumped to an early lead in the third set and possessed a slim 12-11 lead midway through. However, the Gold Nuggets overcame the deficit and closed out the match with a 25-22 win.

Errors proved costly for the Drovers in the end. As a team, the Drover offense produced a .061 attack percentage with 32 kills, while the Gold Nuggets recorded a .216 attack percentage and 36 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 30 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 30 digs and 5.0 total blocks. XULA produced 35 assists, 34 digs, and 8.0 total blocks. Additionally, USAO recorded two service aces, while XULA tallied six.

Jaliyah Cox led the Drovers offensively, tallying eight kills on a .357 attack percentage. Cox also produced four digs and two block assists on defense. Jayla Blake added seven kills on an impressive .429 attack percentage. Blake also contributed four digs on defense.

Chloe Conover closed with six kills, trailed by Giselle Calderon with four terminations.

Ytzel Garcia distributed a team-high of 20 assists, followed by Bailey Makahununiu with eight helpers.

vs LOYOLA (4-1, 0-0 SSAC)

After trailing early in the opening set, the Drovers turned things around and took a 10-8 lead. However, the Wolf Pack used a 6-0 run to reclaim the lead midway through the set. Loyola wrapped up the opening set 25-17.

The Drovers jumped out to an early lead in the second set, but the Wolf Pack caught fire and possessed a 13-9 advantage midway through. Loyola went on to take a two-set lead with a 25-16 triumph.

Loyola was in full control of the third set and concluded the match with a 25-13 win.

As a team, the Drover offense produced a .130 attack percentage with 25 kills, while the Wolf Pack recorded a .322 attack percentage and 41 kills. USAO's setters dished out a total of 25 assists, meanwhile the defense produced 33 digs and 5.0 total blocks. Loyola produced 39 assists, 45 digs, and 8.0 total blocks. Additionally, USAO recorded five service aces, while Loyola tallied 11.

Chloe Conover led the USAO offense with nine kills on a .438 attack percentage. Jayla Blake and Victoria Wright each added four kills.

Ytzel Garcia dished out a team-high of 15 assists, followed by Bailey Makahununiu with five, and Alisi Fonua with four.

Brynlee Birney anchored the defense with 11 digs.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on Saturday, Aug. 23 as they play a double-header at the Wolf Pack Welcome in New Orleans, La. USAO will face Florida Memorial University at 9:00 AM CT, followed by the showdown against Indiana University South Bend at 11:00 AM CT.

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