Aug. 26, 2011

Box Score

Muncie, Ind. - Host Ball State jumped out to early leads in all three sets, proving to be too much for a Loyola team that started four freshmen, in a 3-0 (25-10, 25-19, 25-19) win over the Ramblers in the season opener for both teams at the Active Ankle Ball State Classic in Muncie, Ind.

First-match jitters were apparent for the young Ramblers as the defending regular-season Mid-American Conference champion Cardinals raced out to a 5-1 lead with the help of three service aces. Kills from Laura Purcell and Mary Kate Styler helped Loyola settle into the match but BSU rattled off five straight points later to grab a 13-4 lead. The Ramblers responded with three consecutive points of their own to stay within striking distance but the home team was too much down the stretch, closing out a 25-10 win with two Kelsey Brandl kills.

Ball State notched the first three points of the second set but Loyola battled back, moving within a point (6-5) after a kill and ace from Styler. Kills from Natalie Pounovich and Melissa Hastings kept LU within three through the middle stages of the set but the Cardinals would slowly pull away, eventually taking a 2-0 lead in the match after a Rambler service error sealed a 25-19, second-set win.

An erratic start from the LU hitters put the Ramblers in an early 4-0 hole in the third set before consecutive kills from Hastings helped the team gain its feet. After falling behind 10-4 on a Brandl kill, Loyola responded by scoring five of the next six points, highlighted by two Styler kills and a Vicki Wrobel ace, to draw within a two (11-9). The teams traded points to 14-12 before Ball State rattled off six consecutive points to take command, holding off one last Loyola charge to wrap up the match with a 25-19 victory.

Purcell led the Ramblers with eight kills and nine digs in her first collegiate match while two other freshman also excelled in their debut. Styler finished with seven kills while Wrobel handed out 24 assists from her setter position.

Hastings added seven kills while Pounovich added five kills and three blocks in her first appearance since last September.

Loyola wraps up tournament play tomorrow when it takes on IPFW at 1 p.m.