Sept. 12, 2009

Box Score

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Katie Johnson slammed home 15 kills and added 10 digs to lead Loyola University Chicago (6-5) to its fifth straight victory in a 28-26, 25-18, 25-18 decision over host Chattanooga (4-3) tonight. With the win, the Ramblers captured the title at the Country Inn & Suites Classic by posting an unblemished 3-0 record at the two-day tournament.

The Ramblers pulled out a nail-biter in set one by rallying from a 25-24 deficit to stave off set point and even the set thanks to a block by Mallory Curran and Johnson. Curran broke a 26-all stalemate with consecutive kills to give Loyola a 1-0 lead.

Loyola raced out to a 5-1 lead in set two and later built the advantage to 21-11 to roll to the win and a 2-0 lead.

Johnson produced four kills in an early set-three run that produced an 8-4 Loyola lead, which later expanded to 20-15. The Mocs sliced into the Ramblers' advantage to get within 20-18, but Loyola countered with five unanswered points, with the match winner coming on a Diana Schulte put-away.

Johnson, who posted her second double-double of the season, received backing from teammates Colleen Francis (9 kills, 14 digs) Lauren Ditscheit (2 kills, 29 assists, 10 digs) and Alyse Serritella (16 digs).

Johnson was named Most Valuable Player of the Country Inn & Suites Classic after rolling up 48 kills and 35 digs in the three matches this weekend, while Francis and Ditscheit were also selected to the all-tournament team.

Loyola travels to Indiana State for a non-league match on Tuesday, Sept. 15.