Nov. 1, 2013
Box Score
Terre Haute, Ind. - Host Indiana State hit a sizzling .356 for the match and used a big scoring run in each set in a 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-22) win over Loyola tonight in Terre Haute, Ind. The Ramblers slide to 9-15 (4-8 MVC) while the Sycamores move one-half game ahead of Loyola in the standings, improving to 11-12 (4-7).
"We are learning the small details that enable a team to be successful," said head coach Chris Muscat. "Part of that understanding is that, while we have individual roles, we must also be accountable for each other's and the team's success. Recognition and communication about situations and expectations for execution remain a focus for this talented group."
Four straight Indiana State points staked the home team to an early 7-3 lead in the opening set but Loyola would battle back. Three Brittany Brown kills helped the Ramblers pull even at 11-all and the teams went back and forth from there, with an Olivia Akin kill forging the eighth tie of the set, 15-15. However, it was all Indiana State the rest of the way as the Sycamores scored 10 of the next 12 points to storm to a 25-17, opening-set victory.
The second set followed a similar script, although Loyola did enjoy an 8-5 lead after a Laura Purcell kill and an ISU error. The hosts quickly responded to draw even at 9-9 and the teams battled through the middle stages of the set. An Indiana State service error and a Kathleen Vogel ace gave LU some momentum and an 18-16 lead but Morgan Dall had three kills in a 7-1 Sycamores run that gave them a 23-19 lead. Kills from Carls and Vogel helped the Ramblers get within two (24-22) but a Kyla Thomas kill sent Loyola to the locker room facing an 0-2 deficit after a 25-22 ISU win.
Needing to win the third set to extend the match, Loyola found itself trailing 11-8 before rallying. Carls had two kills and Vogel had a kill and an ace in a 6-1 run that gave the visitors a 14-12 lead. Indiana State answered by scoring the next four to retake the lead and it extended to a 22-18 advantage after two more Dall kills. The Ramblers got as close as two points on three occasions the rest of the way but could not get over the hump and a Cassandra Willis kill gave Indiana State another 25-22 victory to finish the sweep.
Carls led Loyola with 12 kills, the fourth time in five matches that she has led LU in kills. Purcell added eight kills while hitting .400 (8-2-15). Dall, who leads the MVC in kills, slammed a match-high 21 kills and hit .514 to lead the Sycamores.
Loyola looks to get back on the winning track tomorrow night when it takes on Illinois State at 7 p.m. in Bloomington.
