QUINCY, Ill. (February 6, 2021)
 
In Short
Visiting Loyola University Chicago (6-0, 2-0 MIVA) came up with another efficient performance, this time hitting .431 (36-8-65) to coast past Quincy (3-2, 0-2 MIVA), 25-17, 25-10, 25-20 tonight at Pepsi Arena for its sixth straight win to open the 2021 season. Luke Denton and Cole Schlothauer crushed 10 kills each to pace the hot-hitting Ramblers.
 
How It Happened
Loyola's 7-2 run in the opening set broke a 6-6 tie and put it ahead to stay, at 13-8. The Hawks would get no closer than four points the remainder of the set and the Ramblers led by as many as eight on three occasions as they picked up a 25-17 victory. Denton came out on fire, clubbing six kills on only six swings in the first set.
 
Set two was all Loyola, with a pair of service aces from Garrett Zolg making up part four straight points to open the proceedings. That lead was eventually extended to 14-4 and the Ramblers were never challenged as they breezed to a 25-10 decision, hitting at a .444 (11-3-18) clip.
 
The Ramblers led by as many as four points (9-5) early in set three, but a 6-3 Quincy spurt cut into the deficit and got the Hawks within a point, at 12-11.  However, Andrew Lyons' ensuing kill opened up a 7-3 run that included a second kill from the outside hitter, to nudge the Loyola advantage to 19-14, and Loyola would maintain that margin on its way to a 25-20 win that gave the Ramblers a sweep.
 
A Look at the Numbers

• Schlothauer hit .588 (10-1-17) and pitched in five digs, while Denton hit .at .571 (10-2-14) efficiency and contributed three digs, three blocks and two aces.
• Colton Brooks put up nine kills and four blocks and Zolg handed out 28 assists, dug five balls and served up four aces.
• Michael Ladner delivered a team-high eight kills for Quincy.

 
Up Next
Loyola opens up a weekend series versus Lindenwood on February 12 at The Alfie Norville Practice Facility.