CHICAGO, Ill. (Oct. 2, 2026) – Sophomore
Sam Loyd eclipsed her single-match high with 23 kills in a five-set match as the Stonehill volleyball team opened NEC play against Chicago State on Friday night. However, the Cougars edged out the Skyhawks with the 3-2 win.
STONEHILL HIGHLIGHTS
- Sophomore Sam Loyd registered a career single-match best 23 kills to go along with 11 digs for her first double-double of the season.
- Senior Addy Frye came two kills shy of a double-double tallying eight kills with 14 digs.
- Sophomore Kristi Bishop anchored the defense with 16 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cougars were quick out of the starting block, winning the first two sets to a take an early, 2-0 lead. But the Skyhawks were not going to back down that fast.
Stonehill dominated the third set, hitting .346 as a team with 13 kills on 26 attempts and just four miscues. The Skyhawks were tremendous from the service line, recording seven aces, including back-to-back from senior
Abby Farrell as they cruised to 25-11 win.
Momentum looked to have swung in the direction of the Skyhawks as they continued their charge into the fourth set. Trailing 15-14 after a small 4-0 Chicago State run, Stonehill answered with back-to-back kills by senior
Sammy Franco and junior
Annabelle Svenson to take a two-point lead. The Skyhawks kept their foot on the accelerator going on a 5-1 run late as Loyd sent the match into a deciding game five with a kill.
The final frame went down to the wire with seven ties and one lead change. The Skyhawks were able to overcome a late deficit and knot up the score at 14-14, but the Cougars scored the final two points to hold the Skyhawks off.
UP NEXT
Stonehill returns to the court tomorrow for their second match against Chicago State at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT).
