Nov. 4, 2011
Box Score
CHICAGO - Natalie Pounovich had a season-high 16 kills to lead four Ramblers in double figures but visiting Wright State rallied from a 12-5, fifth-set deficit to escape with a 3-2 (27-25, 21-25, 25-17, 21-25, 16-14) win over Loyola tonight at the Halas Sports Center.
"Obviously it is a disappointing loss," said assistant coach Scott Leserman. "We played some good volleyball for 85% of each set, it seemed like, but you have to give them credit for pulling it out tonight."
After splitting the first four sets, Loyola seized control early in the fifth set. Two Libby Bresser kills helped Loyola jump out to a 7-3 lead and the Ramblers kept pushing, extending to a 12-5 lead after consecutive kills from Pounovich and Mary Kate Styler. However, just three points short of securing the season sweep of the Raiders, Loyola suddenly found points hard to come by. Four different Wright State players recorded kills as the visitors rattled off eight straight points to take a 13-12 lead. Styler ended the run with a kill and a block from Styler and Bresser gave the Ramblers a match point at 14-13. A blocking error kept the Raiders alive before a WSU block and an Alaina McAuley service ace completed the comeback.
The drama came on the heels of four competitive sets and Loyola will feel as if it let an opportunity slip away in the opening set. Playing from the lead for the majority of the frame, Pounovich teamed with Kristen Haggenjos and Laura Purcell on two different blocks to give the Ramblers a 23-20 lead. Again, Loyola lacked the closing touch as Wright State fended off one set point at 24-23 before taking the set in extra points, 27-25.
Pounovich was in on two more blocks as Loyola opened the second set by scoring four of the first five points. A Styler solo stuff later gave LU a 19-16 lead before the Raiders scored four straight to grab a 20-19 lead. This time, Loyola held strong and two Purcell kills capped a 5-0 LU response that gave the home team a 24-20 lead and a WSU service error closed out a 25-21 win that evened the match.
Wright State slowly pulled away in the second half of the third set to take a 2-1 lead in the match before Loyola forced a fifth set by scoring eight of the final 12 points of the fourth set to snatch a 25-21 victory.
Pounovich was terrific, racking up 16 kills (16-5-31, .355) and six blocks to lead the Ramblers. She was joined in double figures by Purcell (15 kills), Bresser (11 kills, .421 hitting percentage) and Styler (10 kills, 14 digs).
Loyola wraps up its weekend homestand tomorrow afternoon with a 1 p.m. match against Butler. The Ramblers will honor seniors Melissa Hastings and Cat Languido in a pre-match ceremony.
