MUNCIE, Ind. (March 27, 2021)
 
In Short
Cole Schlothauer's 20 kills sparked No. 14 Loyola University Chicago (13-3, 9-3 MIVA) to a 25-17, 25-23, 19-25, 25-23 decision over host Ball State (10-6, 7-5 MIVA) tonight at Worthen Arena. The Ramblers enter the final weekend of the regular season just one game behind Lewis for first place in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association race. Tonight's victory was also the 100^thin the coaching career of Mark Hulse.
 
How It Happened
Loyola used an 8-4 spurt early in set one to open up an 11-7 lead it wouldn't surrender on the way to picking up a 25-17 victory. Schlothauer ripped six kills alone in the opener.
 
The Ramblers got kills from Schlothauer, Luke Denton and Jimmy Meinhart in an 8-4 start to the second set, but were unable to sustain that advantage. With the score deadlocked at 23-23, Loyola was able to escape with a 25-23 decision thanks to back-to-back kills from Schlothauer and Ben Montplaisir.
 
Kills from Blake Reardon and Bryce Behrendt were part of a string of three straight tallies that gave the Cardinals the lead for good, at 9-6, and they would go on to earn a 25-19 set-three victory.
 
Although Loyola held a lead of four (8-4) in the fourth set, Ball State charged back and led by as many as three (18-15). But, Loyola put the game away with a 7-1 run that featured a pair of kills and an ace from Schlothauer along with two stops from Denton.
 
A Look at the Numbers

• Schlothauer was the lone Rambler to hit double figures in kills, totaling 20, while hitting at a .378 (20-6-37) clip. He also pitched in seven digs and three blocks.
• Denton racked up nine kills and five blocks and Meinhart totaled eight blocks.
• Reardon led Ball State's attack with 20 kills.

 
Up Next
The Ramblers open a two-match series at home versus Lewis on April 1.