Boxscore (PDF)

CHICAGO (November 18, 2017)
 
In Short
Loyola University Chicago put up a valiant effort, but No. 25 Missouri State (26-5, 18-0 MVC) proved to be too much as the Ramblers dropped a 26-24, 23-25, 14-25, 10-25 decision tonight at Gentile Arena. With the loss, Loyola's season comes to a close with a 5-24 overall mark and a 4-14 ledger in Missouri Valley Conference action.
 
How It Happened
Loyola could not have asked for a better start, rallying from a two-point deficit to record a 26-24 victory in the opening set. The Ramblers sprinted out of the starting blocks to a 6-1 lead before the Bears rallied for seven straight points to grab an 8-6 advantage. Later in the set, trailing 18-16, Loyola received a pair of kills from Quinn Spieker as part of a 3-1 run that evened the set at 19. The teams went on to trade points until Maciagowski broke a 24-all stalemate with a kill, and the Ramblers finished off the victory thanks to a Missouri State hitting error.
 
Missouri State led by as many as six points in set two before Loyola staged a rally to make things interesting. The Ramblers strung together a 7-2 run that featured two kills and a block from Maciagowski to wipe out a 20-15 deficit and draw even at 22. But, back-to-back points gave the Bears the lead for good en route to a 25-23 decision.
 
MSU broke free in set three, using a 5-1 run to break a tie and establish an 11-7 lead it would never surrender in a 25-14 victory.
 
Loyola ran out of gas in the fourth set as Missouri State jumped out to a quick 8-2 advantage and coasted to a 25-10 victory to cap an unbeaten conference season.
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Maciagowski recorded double-digit kills for the fifth consecutive outing, and also added eight digs and three blocks.
• Elle Van Grinsven capped an impressive freshman season by tallying eight kills and three blocks, finishing the year with 212 kills and a team-best 77 blocks. She is the first true freshman since 2011 to lead the team in total blocks for a season.
• Delilah Wolf totaled 34 assists, 12 digs and four blocks.
• Lynsey Wright led Missouri State with 21 kills.

 
Up Next
Loyola returns every player from this year's team. The Ramblers' 2018 schedule will be announced in the spring.