Sept. 13, 2011

Box Score

Bloomington, Ill. - Mary Kate Styler continued her solid play, posting a team-high 15 kills, but it was not enough as Loyola struggled to close out sets in a 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-20) loss to Illinois State tonight at Redbird Arena in Bloomington, Ill. The Ramblers drop to 3-6 while Illinois State improves to 8-4 with the win.

Kills from Styler and Libby Bresser helped Loyola get out to an early 7-4 lead in the opening set but Illinois State rallied to even things up and eventually opened up a 19-16 lead on a Shannon McGlaughlin kill. A Kristen Haggenjos ace pulled LU within a point (19-18) and the Ramblers rode two Styler kills and a Cat Languido ace to grab a 22-21 lead. However, a service error gave Illinois State service at 22-apiece and Jenny Menendez was able to serve up the last three points as the Redbirds grabbed the early lead in the match with a 25-22 win.

The second set was equally tight, as the teams were tied nine different times to get to 13-13. Two Laura Purcell kills highlighted a 5-0 LU run that gave the Ramblers an 18-13 advantage but Illinois State rattled off eight of the next nine points to edge out to a 21-19 lead. A Redbird error pulled Loyola within a point and the Ramblers were able to stave off two set points against thanks to a Styler kill and an ISU error before McGlaughlin cashed in on the third opportunity, giving the home team a 2-0 lead in the match after a 25-23 win.

Loyola scored the first three points of the third set as it came out committed to extend the match. Illinois State rattled off the next four to take the lead and the teams went back and forth until the Ramblers were able to gain some breathing room, as two ISU errors and a Natalie Pounovich kill gave LU a 13-10 lead. A Styler block later pushed the Loyola lead to five (17-12) before the hosts began to come back. Three straight points made it a 17-15 game and started a larger 7-1 run that gave ISU a commanding 22-18 lead. Despite another Styler kill, Loyola could not get over the hump and an attack error closed out the 25-20 win.

Styler finished with exactly half of Loyola's kills, slamming 15 kills to lead the way. Cat Languido had a solid match in the back row, digging a team-high 16 balls to anchor the LU defense. McGlaughlin led Illinois State with 18 kills and 12 digs.

The Ramblers open Horizon League action this Saturday when they travel to preseason favorite Milwaukee for a 4 p.m. match.