Boxscore (PDF)

CHICAGO (November 9, 2018)
 
In Short
Three Ramblers totaled seven kills apiece, but Loyola University Chicago (15-12, 7-8 MVC) was unable to slow down a hot-hitting Illinois State (23-5, 15-1 MVC) squad in an 18-25, 9-25, 17-25 setback tonight at Gentile Arena. 
 
How It Happened
Loyola got off to a strong start in the first set, using a 4-1 run capped by a kill from Heather Kocken to open up an 8-5 lead. But a kill from Marissa Stockman sparked a 9-2 Redbird rally that wiped out Loyola's lead and put ISU ahead for good, at 14-10. Loyola got within three (17-14), but back-to-back points would extend the Redbirds' lead to five and they would hold on for a 25-18 victory.
 
After hitting .533 in the opening set, Illinois State was even more effective in the second set, posting a .565 attack percentage en route to a 25-9 decision.
 
The Ramblers found themselves in a hole at the outset of the third set, falling behind 9-3 before trimming the deficit to 11-8 on a block from Haley Hoffman and Quinn Spieker. However, the Redbirds countered that Loyola run with one of their own, stringing together seven of the next eight points to build an 18-9 lead in an eventual 25-17 win.
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Elle Van Grinsven, Morgan Gresham and Spieker led the way for Loyola with seven kills each.
• Illinois State, which hit a staggering .443 for the match, was paced by 12 kills from Stockman.

 
Up Next
Loyola plays its final home match of 2018 tomorrow night at 7 p.m. when it hosts Bradley. Prior to the match, the Ramblers will honor seniors Morgan Gresham, Haley Hoffman, Gabi Maciagowski and Alex Nunez.