Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
20-9, 11-5PL
Loyola
13-17, 6-10PL
Black Knights Complete Regular Season With 20th Win
November 16, 2019 | Volleyball
BALTIMORE, Md. – The Army West Point volleyball team closed out the regular season with its 20th win of the season on Saturday vs. Loyola.
The Black Knights now head to the Patriot League tournament on a five-match winning streak and have clinched a home match on Tuesday night against Loyola at Gillis Field House.
"I am proud of the team for fighting for this win," Head Coach Alma Kovaci Lee said. "I thought we played well in three of the four sets. Our middles did a great job and led our team and our blocking got better towards the end of the match."
Army posted hitting percentages above .300 in three of the match's four sets, highlighted by a .400 mark in the deciding fourth set where the Cadets won 25-12. Emmy Barnhorst was the top offensive threat on the night, recording 13 kills and seven total blocks in the contest. She closes out the regular season as the team's leader in blocks and second on the team in kills. Monica Eckford was tied for the team lead in the match with 13 kills.
Libero Ana Oglivie recorded her second 30-digs game of the season and Hannah Presley added 20 assists for the 13th time this year.
"We will face this team again on Tuesday, so we will focus on improving in some areas of play and get ready for a tough playoff match on our court and in front of our fans." Kovaci Lee said.
The win now locks Army into the third seed for the Patriot League tournament regardless of Navy's result on Sunday due to Army's tie-breaking advantage in points scored in the team's two matches this year.
The new six-team format in the Patriot League Tournament will allow Army to host the first home playoff match at Gillis Field House since 2009.
"I know the team is excited to showcase our skills one more time at home this season," Kovaci Lee said. "Win number 20 feels great! We've had some tough regular season matches, so credit to the hard work of the entire team to get to 20 wins. It is not easy, but they have persevered and they continue to do so. Our coaching staff is very proud of our team!"
Army's first test in the Patriot League Tournament will take place at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 at West Point.
