Sept. 2, 2011

Box Score

CHICAGO - Laura Purcell recorded a team-high nine kills but Northwestern (4-0) was too strong as Loyola (0-3) suffered a 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-12) defeat at the hands of the Wildcats tonight in the opening match of the Chicagoland Challenge hosted by UIC.

Purcell had two early kills to help Loyola jump out to an early lead in the opening set and the Ramblers were able to hold their own through the early stages of the set. A NU setting error kept LU within a point (10-9) but the Wildcats rattled off six of the next seven points to take a commanding 16-10 lead. Consecutive kills from Mary Kate Styler drew the Ramblers within four and they got within two (19-17) later after consecutive Northwestern errors. However, Northwestern ripped off the next five points to get to set point and it cashed in on the second attempt, using a service error to take the opening set, 25-18.

Northwestern carried that momentum into the second set, racing out to a 7-1 lead and were never headed as the Ramblers struggled to string points together.

The third set was close through the middle stages and Loyola trailed 10-9 after a Purcell kill. A Libby Bresser kill later kept LU within striking distance but a seven-point Northwestern run proved to be too much as the Wildcats opened up a 19-10 lead and cruised from there.

Purcell led the Rambler offense for the third consecutive match with her nine kills with Styler and Diana Schulte, making her 2011 season debut, adding seven kills apiece. Cat Languido led the LU defense with nine digs.

Loyola wraps up tournament play tomorrow evening against DePaul with first serve set for 5 p.m. at UIC. The Ramblers then close out the weekend on Sunday night when they battle Montana State (7 p.m.) in their home opener at the Halas Sports Center.