Feb. 15, 2009
Box Score
CHICAGO - The Loyola men's volleyball team came up just short Saturday night, as No. 6 UCLA was able to avoid the upset with a 3-2 (22-30, 30-26, 27-30, 30-25, 18-20) victory in front of a loud and energetic crowd of over 2,000 inside the Gentile Center.
The Bruins (7-6) were coming off a tough 3-2 loss at No. 15 Lewis the night before, but showed no sign of fatigue in the opening game. They pulled out to a quick 2-0 lead on two Loyola attack errors and never looked back. A kill by Mike Bunting and George Kamberos service ace brought Loyola within three, 11-14, but that was as close as they would get. The two teams exchanged points down the stretch, but it was too little, too late for the Ramblers, as UCLA claimed the first game, 30-22.
It was Loyola's (5-2) turn to take the early lead in the second game, as Kamberos opened with a service ace and Nick Lamoureux picked up a kill to take a 2-0 advantage. UCLA would eventually even the score at six, but the Ramblers claimed the lead right back in the next play and maintained the lead until the Bruins again fought back to tie the game at 20. With the score even at 23, Loyola went on a decisive 5-0 run to all but seal the victory. Kills by Kamberos and Bunting, a service ace from Matt Baleiko and two UCLA attack errors keyed the run and Loyola ultimately claimed the 30-26 victory.
Neither team was able to take any significant advantage in the third game, as points were traded back and forth until late in the game with the score even at 20. Rambler errors proved costly, as the Bruins went ahead 21-20 and never relinquished it. Loyola pulled within two, 27-29, but a UCLA kill sealed the game, 30-27.
The Ramblers took over again in the fourth game, as Loyola built a four-point lead midway through the game, 15-11 after two UCLA attack errors. The Bruins came within a point at 18-17, but Loyola responded with a 3-0 run and never allowed UCLA closer than four late in the game. The duo of Bunting and Kamberos combined for Loyola's final three points and clinched the match-tying victory, 30-25.
Game five looked to be heading in favor of Loyola, as the Ramblers were up by as much as four, 8-4 in the early going. But the Bruins inched their way back into the game, eventually tying the score at 14 with a clutch block assist. The two teams exchanged points the rest of the way, with each team having an opportunity to claim the match. A UCLA service error made it 18-all, but kills by Kyle Caldwell and Nick Vogel allowed the Bruins to hold on for the 20-18 win and the match.
Bunting topped his career-high with 25 kills, while Kamberos recorded a season-best 17 kills and a team-leading .591 (17-4-22) hitting percentage. Krisjanis Berzins tallied his fourth double-double of the season with 15 kills and 13 digs, while Michael Hutz added a season-high 70 assists. Also contributing double figure kills was Lamoureux and Michael Morice with 10 each.
Loyola is back in action Feb. 17 when it takes on MIVA foe No. 15 Lewis at 7 p.m.
