FAYETTE, IOWA (Duhawks.com) – With a week of practice under their belts, the Loras Women's Volleyball team traveled to Upper Iowa University for a preseason scrimmage. Despite hanging with the Peacocks early, Loras fell 3-1 (25-17, 25-14, 25-19, 15-13) in a hot and humid Dorman Gymnasium.

In game one, the Duhawks jumped out to a 15-10 lead before the Peacocks rattled off five straight points to knot it at 15. Junior outside hitter Liz Jendra put a stop to the Upper Iowa run with a kill to put Loras back in front. Unfortunately for the Duhawks, the big kill failed to steal Upper Iowa's momentum as they went on to take the first game 25-17.

The Peacocks picked up where they left off in game two, taking an early lead and never looking back to win game two 25-14.

In the tightest game of the evening, the Duhawks pushed an early lead to six, forcing Upper Iowa to call a timeout. The timeout served its purpose, breaking Loras' momentum and swinging it in their favor. A late push by fell short as the Duhawks dropped game three, 25-19.

The Duhawks wrapped up the night with a 15-13 win in game four. The teams traded points back and forth before Loras took control and jumped out to an 11-5 lead after a pair of kills by sophomore Danielle Kennedy and blocks from the duo of juniors Kara Kentner and Taylor Serrano.

Trailing by six, the Peacocks clawed their way back to bring themselves within one, 14-13. A strong pass from senior libero Courtney Boyd set up the Duhawks for the winning point as Kennedy slammed home the winner.

 "I was really happy with our play tonight," Ness said. "The team played well in several different lineups and did a great job with on-ball blocking and setting."

A trio of newcomers made their presence known in the loss and really showed promise for a more balanced offensive attack. Junior transfers Kara Kentner and Taylor Serrano along with freshman Haley Bergan add to the depth the Duhawks return from last season.

"Kara looked like she's been playing in our system for four years," Ness said. "Taylor showed some personality tonight, and I like that. The more comfortable she gets, the more she gives us on the court."

Bergan added to the stellar play from the back line anchored by the leadership of Boyd and junior Christina Angeli.

"Haley doesn't play like a freshman, she's comfortable," Ness said. "I was really impressed with her speed tonight."

With several highlights evident, the Duhawks know where their opportunities lie.

"Now we need to improve on getting a kill out of our system, and that comes with time, it's a process," Ness added.

In one week's time, Loras will officially open their 2014 season in St. Louis, Missouri at the Labor Day Classic hosted by Washington University in St. Louis. The Duhawks will face Greenville and Washington University on Friday and Fontbonne on Saturday.