CHICAGO (November 12, 2021)
 
In Short
Freshman Kaylenn Hunt totaled 16 kills as visiting Bradley (16-11, 12-4 MVC) pulled out a 25-21, 23-25, 25-19, 15-25, 15-13 victory over Loyola University Chicago (19-8, 12-3 MVC) tonight, giving the Ramblers their first loss at Gentile Arena this season, while stopping the Maroon and Gold's 10-match home-court winning streak. 
 
How It Happened
Bradley sprinted out to a 12-3 lead and appeared to be on its way to an easy victory in the opening set, but the Ramblers had other thoughts. Loyola stormed back, tallying 13 of the next 17 points to tie the set at 16-16, but the Braves would use a 4-0 run to break free on their way to a 25-21 decision.
 
An 11-3 Bradley run early in set two wiped out Loyola's two-point edge and moved the Braves on top, 15-9. Sarah Murczek served five straight points, firing a couple of aces, during the Ramblers' 14-2 onslaught that allowed Loyola to surge ahead, 23-17. Barnes came up big during that pivotal stretch, accumulating three kills and a pair of blocks and Loyola would eventually hold on for a 25-23 victory that evened the match at a set apiece.
 
The Braves pulled away late in the third set, notching eight of the final 11 points to grab a 25-20 victory.
 
Barnes and Murczek totaled four kills each during Loyola's 25-15 victory in set four as Bradley hit a meager -.107 (6-9-28). A one-time, five-point Ramblers lead got sliced to three points, at 16-13, but kills from Taylor Venuto and Emily Banitt, along with a Kelsey Watson block, sealed the deal for Loyola as the lead swelled to 19-13.
 
Set five was a back-and-forth battle until a 3-1 Loyola spurt, that featured an ace from Jenna Appel, gave the Ramblers a 12-10 advantage. However, that advantage proved unsafe, as Karagan Coggin ripped two kills during a string of four straight Bradley points that put Loyola in a 14-12 hole. Barnes' final kill of the evening brought the Ramblers within a point (14-13), but Hunt's 16^thstop of the match provided the winning tally in Bradley's 15-13 decision.
 
A Look at the Numbers

• Barnes was sensational all-around, posting her ninth double-double of the year, finishing with 19 kills, 10 digs and a career-best seven blocks, while throwing in an ace for good measure.
• Venuto provided 10 kills and seven blocks for Loyola, which registered 16.0 team blocks on the night.
• Grace Hinchman dug 21 balls to key the Loyola defense, which also got 11 digs from Murczek and 10 from Lane Jenkins.
• Loyola is now just 2-8 this season when it fails to win the opening set.

 
Up Next
The Ramblers play their final home match of the 2021 season tomorrow night when they host Illinois State at 6 p.m. Immediately following the match, Loyola will recognize outside hitter Maya Popernik during Senior Night ceremonies.