Box Score BALTIMORE, Md. (Sept. 5, 2026)--Morgan State overcame a 2-0 set's deficit to force a fifth set, but the Bears' late comeback would fall short, as they suffered a heartbreaking five-set loss Saturday afternoon at the hands of the Loyola Greyhounds, 3-2 (19-25, 19-25, 26-24, 25-22, 6-15) at Hill Field House. 

In the first set, the Bears (1-4) took an early lead. Despite the advantage, Loyola Maryland responded in the hostile environment rallying back and winning the set 25-19. Loyola hit a set-best 0.237 in the frame. 

The Greyhounds (1-3) proceeded to go on to a fast start in the second set, but Morgan came with its own fire, making the second set a back-and-forth affair. Loyola caught a strong second wind winning 25-19. The Greyhounds proceeded to hit a match-high 15 kills within this set alone. 

The third set was much like the first, as Morgan stormed out to the lead, before the Greyhounds made it a competitive contest. Loyola would tie the set several times before the Bears eventually won their first set of the match 26-24. 
 
In the fourth set both teams continued to prove that they were evenly matched, trading the lead multiple times before the technical timeout where the Lady Bears led 15-13. Morgan rode this momentum, winning the set by a score of 25-22, setting up a winner takes all final set. Within the fourth set, Morgan had a team-high 12 kills. 

In Set 5, however, Morgan could not match Loyola's tempo. Loyola blitzed the Bears in the final set, scoring eight straight points to break a 3-3 tie and take an 11-3 lead. The Greyhounds would go on to a 15-6 victory.

The contest featured 26 ties and 11 lead changes. Morgan State finished with 42 kills on 161 attacks and won the block battle 12-8. 

Morgan State was led by Michaela Panekova's 12 kills and nine digs, while Bailey Swinton totaled a team-best 13 digs. Isabelle Brown recorded a double-double with 30 assists and 12 dig, to go with four kills and two aces. The Bears also got strong contributions from Tre'Niya Miller, who led the match with an astounding eight blocks, including six solo, while Jada Williams recorded a match-high five service aces, 10 digs, seven kills and six blocks.

The Loyola Greyhounds had the match's overall leader in kills Ava Nepkin, who finished with 17 and collected 16 digs to record a double-double. by Ava Nepkin. Morgan Crawford chipped in with 15 kills and Addie Huber totaled a match-high 23 digs. Madison Monahan also had a double-double with 23 assists and 10 digs. Gabi Verdicchio added 23 assists, a team-high four aces and eight digs.
 
The Bears will finish their three-match home opening weekend on Sunday, Sept 6, with a contest against nearby rival Towson at 2 p.m. at Hill Field House. The Tigers (3-2) are coming off a sweep of Saint Peter's on Saturday.
 
 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master's degree, doctorate and certificate programs. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.