Jan. 17, 2014

Final Stats | Postmatch Comments

CHICAGO - No. 2 Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball took down Erskine in tonight's showdown, using 10 kills from junior Dainis Berzins to earn a 3-0 (25-10, 25-21, 25-20) sweep of the Flying Fleet inside Gentile Arena. The Ramblers improve to 3-1 on the year while the Flying Fleet sits at 0-1 after the season-opening defeat.

"It was the first time we've played Erskine, a second-year program, and I thought they did a great job tonight," said head coach Shane Davis. "They're a young team, but I thought they did a great job on the service line and keeping us out of the system a few times. It was a good match for us."

The Ramblers got off to a hot start in the opening set, scoring the first five points unanswered behind kills from senior Joe Smalzer and Berzins. Loyola continued to build on its lead, breaking away by as many 14 points when an assisted block by sophomore Nick Olson and Smalzer made the score 21-7. The Ramblers ultimately won the set 25-10 with a .524 hitting percentage, allowing their opponent to hit a mere -.304.

The second set was closer throughout, with the two teams trading points until the Ramblers led 15-14. A monster kill by Berzins shifted the momentum, and Loyola went on to score four unanswered points. The kill was one of 10 for Berzins on the night, a season-high for the junior. The Flying Fleet attempted to battle back and came within one point off a kill by Mike Kawa to make the score 21-20, but Loyola was too much for Erskine to handle. The Ramblers scored their next four points off Erskine errors and closed the set 25-21.

In the final set, the Ramblers went down early and found themselves behind 9-7 after an attack error by Smalzer. The senior followed the error with a kill, however, which would be the first of six unanswered Loyola points. The Ramblers never looked back and continued to charge head, leading by as many as six points when a Berzins kill made the score 21-15. Loyola ultimately closed the set 25-20 behind five kills from Berzins and two service aces from Smalzer.

Loyola enjoyed a 35-27 advantage in kills and outhit its visitors.381-.026 for the match.

Berzins and Smalzer led the Ramblers with 10 kills apiece, while sophomore Peter Hutz claimed 29 of the team's 33 assists. Olson also had an impressive night, operating at a .636 clip (8-1-11).

Loyola concludes its five-match homestand tomorrow night when it battles Mount Olive. First serve from Gentile Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.