KINGSTON, R.I. (October 21, 2022) 
 
In Short 
After surviving a late scare in the opening set, Loyola University Chicago (16-7, 10-0 A-10) cruised the rest of the way and secured its 10th consecutive win thanks to a 25-23, 25-12, 25-11 sweep over Rhode Island (5-18, 1-9 A-10) Friday night inside Keaney Gymnasium. The Ramblers extended their best start in league play, regardless of conference affiliation, in program history.
 
How It Happened
In the opening set, Loyola led a closely contested battle before building out an 18-14 advantage, but the Ramblers were forced to fend off the Rams, as the two sides exchanged the lead four times during Rhode Island's late push.
 
Kelsey Watson played a vital role in three consecutive points during crucial moments, including a pair of kills and a block assist, as the Ramblers quickly bounced back from a 22-21 deficit – which would end up as the last time Loyola trailed in the match. Emily Banitt secured the set point with her fifth kill of the opening frame.
 
Loyola controlled the match the rest of the night and dominated the second set, hitting an impressive .652 with only one attack error in the second stanza. The Ramblers raced out to a 9-1 lead and never looked back, as the closest Rhode Island would get the rest of the set was six points (12-6).
 
In the third set, Loyola worked its way to a 9-5 lead after a pair of kills from Esma Ajanovic. Then after a Rhode Island point, the Ramblers caught fire and closed the set on a furious 16-5 run to clinch the match.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Loyola's current 10-match win streak is its longest since capturing 11 consecutive outings, September 4-24, 2015
• Friday's win is the seventh sweep this season for the Ramblers, who have swept half of the matches (5) during the win streak
• Loyola produced its highest team hitting percentage in league play (.432)
• Its Loyola's eighth consecutive outing with limiting its opponent to a hitting percentage of .200 or lower
• Banitt led the way with nine kills (.500) and recorded five block assists
• Karlie McNabb tallied eight kills (.333) and gathered seven digs with one block assist
• Taylor Venuto registered a career-best .778 hitting percentage (7-0-9) and had four block assists
• Watson finished seven kills (.500) and two block assists
• Ajanovic recorded five kills (.625) - her highest total in league play
• Sarah Murczek posted a career-high four aces for the third time and had seven digs
• Bree Borum finished her second straight outing with 27 assists to go with four kills and six digs
• Libero Grace Hinchman recorded a team-high 10 digs

Up Next
First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT in Saturday's series finale at Rhode Island. Following tomorrow's match, the Ramblers return home Tuesday night to host Saint Louis.