The Loyola Maryland Women’s volleyball team 2022 season concluded on Nov. 19. The season was one to remember as they made a historic run in the Patriot League tournament. Loyola was the fourth seed and lost to the first seed, Colgate, in the Patriot League semifinals. This trip to the semifinals was the Greyhound’s first since joining the Patriot League in 2013. After falling one game short of the Patriot League championship, the Greyhounds are looking forward to a great 2023-24 season.
Lauren Link, junior All-Patriot League outside hitter, recalls the win over Bucknell as one of her most exciting moments of the season.
“Bucknell was our first postseason win in conference history, and it was so incredible to experience making history with this team. We worked so hard all season and finally we were seeing some awesome results when it mattered most.”
The girls have high hopes for next season after seeing improvement and growth from many players this season, including Link. The rising senior has high expectations for next season and believes the team will go far.
“Our postseason win was an incredibly awesome step in the right direction for the program. We know we are capable of doing big things as a program and having that win gave us all of the confidence that we are a force in the Patriot League and will continue to be for a very long time.”
However, the Greyhounds could not catch a break with injuries this season. Link explains how just about every single player had some sort of injury throughout the season. The team had to battle through it both physically and mentally.
“We had our starting setter Kacy go down with a knee injury early in conference play, and then our starting right-side Caitlin, go down a few weeks after that. It was hard to play without them, but this team is so deeply talented, and we had so many people rise up and perform when we needed them to.”
Two different members of the Greyhounds received postseason awards. Katie Forsythe was named the conference’s libero of the Year for her back-row defensive efforts. She made history as she became the only athlete in the history of Patriot League sports to earn a major end-of-the-year award 5 times. Link earned a spot on the All-Patriot League first team and Forsythe a spot on the second team.
The team played well overall throughout the season. Right now, the team is using this time to rest and heal their bodies from all they endured this season. Team activities will start again in the spring season. Link is enjoying her free time now but knows the spring will be tough physically.
“It’s really intense and hard, but spring season is really where we make huge gains and condition a lot. We can’t wait to work hard in the spring season.”
Featured Image Courtesy of Lauren Link
