Sept. 29, 2006

Box Score

Cleveland, Ohio - Cleveland State pieced together strategic runs in the latter stages of each of the first two games and cruised to a 3-0 (30-27, 30-21, 30-23) win over Loyola tonight at Woodling Gymnasium in Cleveland, Ohio. Loyola drops to 7-9 (1-2 Horizon) while the Vikings improve to 12-3 (2-1).

The Vikings jumped on Loyola early in game one, opening a 7-3 lead before the Ramblers settled in. Consecutive CSU errors helped Loyola pull within two (12-10) and Sarah Elmer had two kills in a 5-1 LU spurt moments later that drew the Ramblers even at 15-all. The teams alternated points to 19-19 before the hosts reeled off five straight points, including back-to-back aces from Jenni Ramminger, to take a commanding 26-20 lead. The Ramblers had one last push and closed to within two (28-26 and 29-27) but could not get over the hump.

Game two took on a similar form, as the teams were tied nine times to 16-all. Again, it was Cleveland State that took control, scoring 10 of the next 11 points to build a 26-17 advantage en route to a 30-21 win and a 2-0 lead in the match.

Three straight points, and six of the next eight, helped the hosts turn a 10-8 lead into a 16-10 edge in game three. However, the Ramblers hung in there and closed to within two, 24-22, on a Viking error, but it was not meant to be as Cleveland State rallied to close out the match.

Cleveland State's offensive efficiency was the story, outhitting Loyola .282-.168 for the match.

Dana VanDiggelen put together her second straight solid match, leading the Ramblers with 11 kills at a .348 clip (11-3-23). Elmer, Keily Zins and Melissa Craig each added eight kills apiece in support. Ann Deelo had 15 digs to lead the defensive effort.