The Canisius College volleyball team dropped its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match to rival Loyola Saturday 3-2 (27-30, 28-30, 34-32, 30-21, 14-16) at the Reitz Arena in Baltimore, Md. Canisius is now 4-14 overall, 0-1 in the MAAC, while Loyola imporves to 10-10 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

Sophomore Christina Wildes led all Canisius players with a career-high 24 kills on 68 attempts in the losing effort. She was also credited with 13 digs. Freshman Leigh Launhardt was credited with 18 kills and three solo blocks. Sophomore Kim Hoffman had 12 kills and 13 digs for the Blue and Gold.

Junior setter Jackie Reed was credited with 63 assists, which is one assist shy of tying a school record for assists in a five-game match. Reed also collected 15 digs. Freshman Kerry McNamee had a career-high 27 digs for the Blue and Gold, while senior Kelly Sieber added 21 defensive digs to the effort.

Canisius was down 2-0 after dropping the first two games of the match. The Blue and Gold responded with wins in the next two games before falling by two in the fifth and deciding match.

Becky Corb collected 24 kills in the win for Loyola. Corb and teammate Megan Maguire each collected 26 digs for the Greyhounds.

The Griffs will return to action Sunday, Oct. 13 at conference rival Rider. Game time is set for 12 p.m.