Feb. 27, 2014
Box Score
Quincy, Ill. - Cody Caldwell posted a team-high eight kills as top-ranked Loyola ran its winning streak to 12 with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-21) sweep of Quincy tonight at Pepsi Arena in Quincy, Ill. The Ramblers improve to 14-1 (6-0 MIVA) while the Hawks drop to 7-8 (0-5) with the loss.
Two blocks got Loyola off to a good start and it moved out to a 7-3 lead after a Nick Olson ace and a Quincy error. A kill from Thomas Jaeschke helped the visitors extend to a 12-5 advantage. The Hawks got within five, 16-11, before Loyola put the set away. Caldwell had two kills while serving up four straight points to make it a 21-11 score and the Ramblers cruised from there, with an Owen McAndrews kill closing out a 25-17 victory. Loyola hit .429 (11-2-21) in the frame while holding Quincy to an .038 efficiency.
Jaeschke had a kill and teamed with McAndrews for a block to help stake the Ramblers to an early lead in the second set. Back-to-back aces from Caldwell made it a 13-9 count and Loyola took control moments later, ripping off five straight points on Quincy errors to open up an 18-11 bulge. Peter Hutz and McAndrews combined for one block in that run with the sophomore setter also coming up with a solo stuff. A Jaeschke ace later made it 22-15 and a Hawks error capped another 25-17, LU win that gave the visitors a 2-0 lead in the match.
Loyola spotted Quincy the first two points of the third set before taking command. Joe Smalzer had two kills and a block in a 9-0 run that gave the Ramblers a comfortable lead. The hosts tried to battle their way back, eventually getting within three, but a couple more kills from Caldwell helped the Ramblers keep them at bay and Quincy's 18th service error of the match wrapped up the win with a 25-21 victory in the third set.
The Ramblers played some different combinations in the third set and managed to operate at just an .074 clip offensively in the frame. However, Loyola still hit .266 for the match while the Hawks hit .136 on the night, committing 21 hitting errors to go along with the 18 service errors.
Caldwell led a balanced attack with eight kills and added two aces and two blocks. Smalzer and Jaeschke each added five kills apiece.
Loyola wraps up its quick, two-match roadtrip tomorrow night when it takes on Lindenwood at 7 p.m.
