In Short
The Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team came back from a 2-0 deficit, winning the third and fourth set before falling to Lindenwood, 3-2 tonight in St. Charles, Mo. The Ramblers move to 4-9 (1-2 MIVA), while Lindenwood improves to 8-4 (2-0 MIVA). Kyle Piekarski (14 kills) and Devin Joslyn (10 digs) recorded career-highs for the Ramblers.
 
How It Happened
Lindenwood took an early 7-4 lead on Loyola in the first set, despite a kill from Jake Maffett and an ace from Kyle Piekarski. After pushing to a six-point lead, the Ramblers were forced to take a timeout. After a block from Ian Cowen and Anton Frank, the Ramblers were able to bring it within three. Cole Schlothauer followed up with a kill, slamming it down in the far back corner of the court to only trail by two, 20-18. After a Lindenwood timeout and another kill from Schlothauer, the Ramblers snagged a 21-20 lead. The teams battled into extra points, eventually tying 25-25. The Lions had the final say, winning the set 29-27. 

Loyola took its largest lead of the match in set two, building off a 3-0 run to take a 10-6 lead. Lindenwood answered with a 6-0 sprint and never looked back, winning set two, 25-17.

Despite being down two sets, the Ramblers fought hard in the third set, starting with a 7-5 lead highlighted by a kill and an ace from Piekarski. Schlothauer helped the Ramblers extend the lead further, moving to a 14-10 advantage. Lindenwood would go on to a 4-1 run to force a Loyola timeout, but the Ramblers came back and used a few attack and service errors by the Lions to their advantage. Loyola would go on to win the set, 25-20.

Never shying away from the lead, the Ramblers took a 14-10 advantage in the fourth set. Loyola then forced a Lindenwood timeout after pulling away 17-12. With the score at 20-16, Lindenwood attempted to close the gap, but the Ramblers were tougher. Piekarski registered another kill and a block with Frank and the Ramblers took off on a 5-0 run to seal the 25-16 victory.

Lindenwood kicked off the final set with a 4-0 lead and the Ramblers struggled to come back. The Lions ended up winning the match with a final 15-9 set win.

A Look At The Numbers
- Devin Joslyn recorded a career-high 10 digs and Kyle Piekarski picked up a career-high 14 kills.
- Cole Schlothauer (18), Kyle Piekarski (14) and Joslyn (11) each recorded double-digit kills. 
- Piekarski (six) and Ian Cowen (five) each registered season-highs in blocks.
- The Ramblers recorded eight aces as a team, with Kyle Piekarski and Luke Denton each contributing two.  
- Lindenwood led Loyola in all catergories except for aces.

 
Up Next
The Ramblers are back at Gentile Arena to host Ohio State (Feb. 21) and Ball State (Feb. 22) to continue MIVA play. Both matches start at 7 p.m.