WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL : Loyola Marymount Eliminated

Arizona defeated Loyola Marymount, 15-13, 9-15, 15-6, 15-13, in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Tucson, Ariz., on Wednesday night.

The Lions led by at least three points in each game, but could not hold off the Wildcats.

In the fourth game, the Lions (19-10) jumped to a 4-0 lead, but the Wildcats won the next five points, extended their lead to 9-6, and later won the final six points to close out the match.

Outside hitter Kim Blankenship had 12 kills for the Lions. Mardell Wrensch added 11.

“We are a very young team,” Coach Steve Stratos said. “We played well in the first two games. We were putting pressure on the Wildcats for most of the match.”

NAIA

Azusa Pacific cruised to an easy, 15-9, 15-2, 15-9 victory over St. Vincent College in the first round of the NAIA Championships in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Middle blocker Tiara Ainuu led the Cougar attack with 10 kills and four blocks.

Outside hitter Stephanie Benitez contributed six kills and 11 digs.

The Cougars, who won the NAIA championship in 1980 and advanced to the 1991 quarterfinals, are now 11-1 all-time in tournament play.

Tenth-seeded Azusa Pacific (23-7) plays second-seeded St. Francis (35-8) of Illinois and then Hastings College (36-8) today.