DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque Spartans picked to win the American Rivers Conference in the pre-season poll a week ago are still searching for their first victory after suffering their second consecutive loss to open their 2020-21 season on Tuesday.

UD travelled across town to face their second new coach in the conference and unfortunately the outcome would be the same. The Spartans battled the Loras College Duhawks and lost 2-3. Loras struck first and captured set one by a 25-17. UD rallied back and took sets two (25-15) and three (25-23). Set four UD was looking to put away after leading 24-18, but it was the Duhawks who captured the set on a 8 -0 run and won 26-24 to knot the match at 2-2. The fifth and deciding set, UD would jump out to an early 6-0 lead only to have the Duhawks once again rally after trailing 9-12. Loras would out score the Spartans 6-0  to claim the match 15-12.

The duo of Darby Hawtrey and Emma Powell led UD in kills with 15 and 13. Powell garnered two service aces in the loss.The Spartans finished with 62 kills and a hitting percentage of .149. Kate Messino finished the night with 30 set assists. Mary Kate Willie led the defensive front with 53 digs and Shauna McAleer would add two block assists. The Spartans allowed 10 Loras points by receiving errors and Loras would give up just four points by reception miscues.

UD drops to 0-2 overall and 0-2 in American Rivers Conference play. Friday, Feb. 26 the Spartans will travel to play the Cornell College Rams in a non-conference match-up at 7 p.m. The Spartans return to league play on Wednesday, March 3 when they travel to Waverly, Iowa to face the Wartburg College Knights at 7 p.m.