Sept. 24, 2011

Box Score

CHICAGO - Laura Purcell had a team-high nine kills but Loyola's offense struggled to find its rhythm as Valparaiso claimed a 3-0 (25-16, 26-24, 25-17) victory over the Ramblers this afternoon at the Halas Sports Center. Loyola slides to 3-9 (0-3 Horizon) with the loss while the Crusaders improve to 11-6 (2-1).

"Even though I am disappointed with the result I am happy with the fight that we showed," said head coach Chris Muscat. "We put ourselves in a position to get right back into the match in the second set but just could not close it out. We have been in that position now for about four straight matches and we need to figure out a way to pull that out but it is all part of the learning process."

The second set proved to be the turning point in the match and the Ramblers got off to a good start, using a Melissa Hastings kill and two Valpo errors to take a 7-4 lead. A block from Purcell and Libby Bresser extended the lead to four (15-11) and another block later by Purcell and Kathleen Omelina gave the Ramblers a seemingly comfortable 21-16 lead. Four straight Crusader points made it a 21-20 game but Loyola was able to regroup, grabbing a 24-20 lead as it sandwiched kills from Purcell and Hastings around a Mary Kate Styler service ace. However, the final point proved to be elusive as Jenny Pokorny served up three aces to key a 6-0 VU spurt that gave the visitors a 26-24 win and a 2-0 stranglehold on the match.

"I thought our physical effort was very good today but we have not been able to pull out one of these conference matches," said junior Kristen Haggenjos. "The second set was tough but we just need to sharpen our focus in situations like that, play together and close those out."

The opening set was a set of spurts as Valpo raced out to a 5-2 lead only to be pegged back by a 4-0 Rambler run that tied the frame at 9-9. Five straight Crusader points made it 14-9 and, although Loyola was able to get within three, Valpo closed the set strong, rattling off nine of the last 12 points to take the first set.

Still stunned by Valpo's second-set comeback, Loyola found itself in an early 7-2 hole in the third set. Four straight points later in the frame made it a 15-6 lead but the Ramblers continued to battle, using a Hastings kill and a VU error to get within six (19-13). That would prove to be as close as Loyola would get as a Sarah Dooms kill closed out the match.

Loyola's top two hitters were held in check as Purcell and Styler combined for 14 kills but hit just .000 (14-14-65) as a duo. Hastings added seven kills while Haggenjos led the back row with a match-high 14 digs.

The Ramblers return to action next Friday (Sept. 30) when it hosts Green Bay at the Halas Sports Center at 7 p.m.