Feb. 17, 2009
Box Score
ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Despite a late comeback attempt, the Loyola men's volleyball team was unable to overcome a balanced offensive attack by No. 12 Lewis, dropping a 3-1 (25-30, 23-30, 30-27, 28-30) decision Tuesday night in Neil Carey Arena. The Ramblers fall to 5-3 (0-2 MIVA), while the Flyers improve to 8-2 (2-1).
Lewis, fresh off its 3-2 victory over UCLA last Friday night, opened the first game with a quick 2-0 lead. Loyola kept it close, however, evening the score nine times before taking its first advantage of the night at 18-17 on a Lewis attack error. Another attack error followed to give the Ramblers a two-point advantage, but the Flyers rallied and the two teams exchanged points over the next few plays. With Loyola leading 23-22, Lewis went on a decisive 6-0 run and never looked back, taking the opening game, 30-25.
Loyola built an early 5-2 lead in the second game behind kills from Nick Lamoureux and Krisjanis Berzins and service aces from Lamoureux and George Kamberos, but the Flyers responded with another 6-0 run and never trailed again. A kill by Kamberos late in the game brought the Ramblers within a point, 20-19, but that was as close as they would get, as Lewis answered with a 10-4 run to take the game, 30-23.
Points were exchanged back and forth through much of the third game, though it was Lewis finding itself playing catch-up most of the time. Loyola went ahead 18-15 after a kill by Kyle Exline, but the Flyers chipped away and eventually tied the score for the 11th time at 26-all. Michael Morice notched a kill the following play and a Lewis attack error put Loyola back up by two, 28-26. Kills by Lamoureux and Mario Jez sealed the 30-27 victory
Lewis jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the fourth game before quickly extending the advantage to seven, 16-9. The Ramblers countered with two separate 4-0 runs keyed by kills from Berzins, Morice and Mike Bunting, which ultimately erased the lead and gave Loyola its first lead of the game at 18-17. The Flyers rallied back to even the score in the next play and a Rambler attack error gave Lewis the lead back for good. A Flyer attack error allowed Loyola within one, 28-27, but they were able to hold on for the 30-28 win and the match.
Bunting and Berzins each tallied a match-high 17 kills, while Berzins also added 13 digs for his second straight double-double and fifth of the season. Lamoureux added 11 kills and a team-best .368 (11-4-19) hitting percentage and Exline (25) and Michael Hutz (30) combined for 55 assists. Morice recorded a match-high seven block assists and seven kills for the Ramblers. Lewis had five different players record double-figure kills in the match, out-hitting Loyola .319-.227.
Loyola is back at home Friday night when it welcomes defending national champion and top-ranked Penn State to Alumni Gym in a match beginning at 7 p.m.
