In a thrilling showcase of volleyball prowess, the Army West Point Black Knights delivered a dominant performance in the 2024 Patriot League Volleyball Quarterfinals, sweeping Loyola Maryland in straight sets with scores of 25-20, 25-12, and 25-18. The match, held at Gillis Field House in West Point, New York, saw the fourth-seeded Black Knights control every aspect of the game from start to finish, securing their place in the semifinals against Bucknell on November 22.
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Army’s Dominant Performance
From the outset, Army’s offense was on fire, with the team exhibiting remarkable efficiency. With 43 kills, 12 service aces, and a solid defense that included eight blocks and 47 digs, the Black Knights set the tone for a performance that would leave Loyola Maryland scrambling to keep up.
The Black Knights’ serving game stood out as one of their key weapons, accumulating 12 service aces compared to just four from the Greyhounds. Army’s offensive attack was equally impressive, finishing the match with a team hitting percentage of .354. Leading the way for Army was a trio of players who each recorded eight kills: Juliette Myrick, Chloe Murakami, and Mackenzie Lynch. Myrick’s performance stood out as she registered a .700 hitting percentage, an outstanding feat considering she only made one error in ten attempts.
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Set 1: A Strong Start
Although Loyola Maryland managed to score the first point of the match, Army quickly took control. The Black Knights surged ahead with a 4-1 lead, fueled by a kill from Kingsley Wallace and back-to-back blocks from Michelle Parker, who teamed up first with Mackenzie Lynch and then with Wallace. Army’s relentless offense, featuring powerful kills and precise passing, kept Loyola at bay. Despite a brief rally from the Greyhounds, Army never let the lead slip away. Kills from Lynch and Tatum Grimes, along with a timely block from the duo, clinched the first set for Army, 25-20.
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Set 2: Army Pulls Away
The second set began with similar energy, with Army quickly building a 4-1 lead. Loyola briefly closed the gap to 5-4 with a service ace, but the Black Knights immediately responded, with key kills from Wallace, Myrick, and Murakami extending their lead. A pivotal moment came when Parker made a quick kill at 12-7, swinging the momentum firmly in Army’s favor. The Black Knights then went on a 6-0 run, sealing the set 25-12. Loyola Maryland struggled to keep up, and Army’s offense looked unstoppable as they took a commanding two-set lead.
Set 3: A Commanding Finish
In the final set, Loyola Maryland refused to go down without a fight. After Army gained an early 3-1 lead with service aces from Murakami, the Greyhounds came back to tie the game at 7-7 and even briefly took a 10-9 lead. However, Army was not to be outdone. A six-point run, highlighted by a series of kills from Grimes and Wallace and a trio of service aces from Naomi Chinchar, gave the Black Knights an 18-13 advantage. Loyola Maryland made one final push, narrowing the gap to 20-18, but Army responded with five consecutive points to seal the set and match, 25-18.
Key Performances
Army’s offensive balance was key to their success, with three players—Myrick, Murakami, and Lynch—leading the team in kills. Myrick’s efficiency stood out, as she posted a .700 hitting percentage, a rare feat at this level. In the back row, Nicole Stroud was a standout, recording 10 digs to lead Army’s defensive efforts.
Tatum Grimes also had a remarkable match, contributing not only with her kills but also with her blocking. Grimes registered a match-high five block assists, helping Army control the net against Loyola’s attackers.
The serving game was another critical factor in Army’s victory, with Murakami and Chinchar each registering four service aces, adding pressure to Loyola Maryland’s passing game and preventing the Greyhounds from establishing any rhythm.
Coach’s Corner
After the match, Army’s head coach reflected on his team’s performance, noting their strong execution in both offensive and defensive phases. “We came out with the right energy, and we played with a lot of confidence,” he said. “Our serving game was fantastic, and our offense was efficient. We’re excited to move on to the semifinals, but we know that we have a tough challenge ahead.”
What’s Next for Army
With their quarterfinal victory, the Black Knights advance to the Patriot League semifinals, where they will face the second-seeded Bucknell Bison on Friday, November 22. The match will take place in Hamilton, New York, at 2:30 p.m. EST and will be available for streaming on ESPN+.
Army will look to carry the momentum from their impressive quarterfinal sweep into the semifinals, where they will face a tough opponent in Bucknell. The Black Knights will need to continue their strong serving game and efficient offense if they hope to keep their playoff dreams alive and make a run for the Patriot League title.
Looking Ahead: Army’s Path to the Semifinals
Army West Point’s commanding sweep of Loyola Maryland in the Patriot League Quarterfinals was a statement win that highlighted their offensive firepower, defensive resilience, and serving dominance. With standout performances from players like Juliette Myrick, Chloe Murakami, and Mackenzie Lynch, the Black Knights showed that they are a force to be reckoned with in the postseason. As they head into the semifinals, Army is focused and ready for the next challenge, with hopes of advancing to the championship match and bringing home the Patriot League title.
For more updates on Army West Point women’s volleyball, be sure to follow the team on social media and stay tuned for further coverage of their postseason run.
