Boxscore (PDF)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (November 17, 2018)
 
In Short
Quinn Spieker recorded a team-high eight kills, but host Missouri State (17-14, 10-8 MVC) hit .347 to pick up a 25-23, 25-18, 25-13 victory over Loyola University Chicago (16-14, 8-10 MVC) tonight at Hammons Student Center. The loss, coupled with Drake's five-set win versus Evansville, brings the Ramblers' season to an end. Loyola more than tripled its win total from 2017 (5).
 
How It Happened
Loyola led by as many as three points in the opening set and appeared headed for a victory when Gabi Maciagowski's kill pushed the advantage to 23-20. But Laynie Dake and Natali Petrova delivered two kills apiece as part of a set-closing 5-0 run that gave Missouri State a 25-20 win.
 
That heartbreaking setback seemed to take the wind out of the Ramblers' sails, leading to the Bears jumping out to a 14-5 lead at the outset of the second set. Loyola scratched and clawed its way back into contention, getting within three points on pair of occasions, the last coming when Spieker slammed a kill that trimmed the deficit to 20-17.  MSU held off the Ramblers' late rally and scored five of the final six points of the set to claim a 25-18 victory.
 
Set three was all Bears as they sprinted out to a 5-1 lead that grew to 17-4 on the way to a 25-13 decision. 
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Spieker had eight kills and eight digs, while hitting .381 (8-0-21).
• Morgan Gresham totaled nine digs and six kills in her final appearance as a Rambler.
• Cambree Villarreal led Missouri State with 12 kills.

 
Up Next
Loyola's 2018 campaign has come to an end and this marks the first time since 2015 that the Ramblers posted a winning record. Head coach Amanda Berkley loses four seniors, but returns a solid cast that will be joined by a highly regarded cast of newcomers.