Boxscore (PDF)

CHICAGO (August 31, 2018)
 
In Short
Loyola University Chicago shook off a slow start as it dispatched Furman (0-4), 26-24, 25-21, 25-22, to open play in the Hampton Inn Rambler Challenge this afternoon inside Gentile Arena.  With the win, the Ramblers move back to the .500 mark at 2-2 on the year.
 
How It Happened
A block by Elle Van Grinsven and Delilah Wolf staked Loyola to an early 5-4 lead in the first set. Following a Wolf kill that broke a 6-6 stalemate, Madison Gresham ripped her second kill of the set to spark an 8-0 run for Furman to send the visitors in front, 14-7.  Loyola battled its way back, pulling even at 22 apiece on a Heather Kocken kill.  With the score knotted at 24-24, back-to-back Lexi Alden kills completed the Rambler comeback, sealing a 26-24 triumph.
 
Riding momentum from the opening set, the Maroon & Gold jumped in front, 6-4, off consecutive kills by Quinn Speiker and Wolf.  Wolf found herself back in the mix again shortly after, teaming up with Kocken on a block that extended the Loyola lead to 10-7. The Paladins responded with a surge of their own, tying the score at 11-11 on a Nicole Mack kill that forced a Loyola timeout.  Van Grinsven and Wolf joined forces for a key block that reestablished a three-point edge for the Ramblers, 19-16, and stemmed the tide as Loyola took the second set, 25-21.
 
Both teams struggled to gain separation as part of a back-and-fourth start to the third set. Loyola opened up a three-point edge, 9-6, on a block by Gresham and Kocken only for Furman to rattle of four unanswered points to take a 10-9 and prompt a Rambler timeout.  Lauren Caprini drilled a service ace to help push Loyola back on top, 16-14, as things remained tight coming down the stretch. Loyola used a decisive 5-0 run that was highlighted by a trio of Speiker kills to gain control en route to finishing off a sweep with a 25-22 victory.
 
A Look At The Numbers
- Spieker spearheaded the Rambler attack, smashing 11 kills and 15 digs, while hitting .429 (11-2-21).
- Van Grinsven chipped in eight kills, five digs and five blocks, while Wolf contributed 29 assists, nine digs, five kills and four blocks.
- Madison Gresham led Furman with 12 kills and 10 digs. 
- The sweep was Loyola's first over a nonconference foe since the 2015 campaign.
 
Up Next
Loyola continues play in the Hampton Inn Rambler Challenge later this evening against Georgia State at 7 p.m.