KINGSTON, R.I. (October 22, 2022)
 
In Short…
Loyola University Chicago (17-7, 11-0 A-10) kept its hold on the top spot in the Atlantic 10 Conference standings as it cruised to a 25-22, 25-19, 25-20 sweep of Rhode Island (5-19, 1-10 A-10) this afternoon inside Keaney Gymnasium in Kingston, R.I.  Today's result extends the Ramblers' win streak to 11 games, matching the Maroon & Gold's longest unbeaten run since 2015, a mark which is also tied for the third longest win streak in program history.
 
How It Happened
Loyola jumped all over Rhode Island from the opening whistle in set one, racing out to a 3-0 lead following Taylor Venuto's first kill of the afternoon.  A Bayley McMenimen service ace saw the lead balloon to 10-3 before the hosts attempted to rally, closing within four, 11-7.  The Ramblers responded, with kills from Venuto and Addie Barnes, respectively, upping the gap to 16-8. Rhode Island again mounted a rally, cutting the lead to 23-22, but back-to-back Emily Banitt kills ended any further suspense, as Loyola took the first set, 25-22.
 
In stark contrast to how the afternoon began, the Ramblers started slow in the second set, falling into an early 5-0 hole before getting on the board courtesy of a Rams' service error.  Slowly but surely, Loyola chipped away, pulling even on a Kelsey Watson hammer before a Rhode Island mishit gave the visitors an 8-7 edge.  Consecutive Barnes' service aces stretched the lead to 11-8, but Rhode Island refused to go away, as it scored three unanswered points to regain the lead, 13-12.  Venuto provided the spark that saw Loyola take control for good, providing the bookends to a 7-0 run as the Ramblers opened up a 19-13 advantage en route to a 25-19 victory.
 
Loyola rattled off five unanswered points early on in the third set, the last of which came on a Bree Borum service ace that gave the Ramblers a 5-2 lead.  Rhode Island battled back to knot the set up at 6-6 as both teams struggled to gain separation heading into the frame's middle stages.  With the Loyola lead sitting at 12-11, Barnes delivered a kill before joining forces with Venuto on a block as the Ramblers opened up breathing room, 14-11.  Any hopes of a Rhode Island rally were put to rest following a 7-2 spurt, punctuated by a Madi Corey service ace, that made it 22-15 as Loyola coasted to a 25-20 triumph.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Loyola turned in a balanced effort on the offensive side as five Ramblers tallied seven or more kills.
- Barnes and Venuto paced the Maroon & Gold with nine kills apiece, with Barnes also adding a team-high three service aces and 10 digs.
- Venuto was credited with a team-best three blocks.
- Grace Hinchman added 10 digs, sharing the team lead in the category with Barnes.
- Lauren Nelson finished with eight kills to lead Rhode Island in defeat.
 
Up Next
Loyola returns to Gentile Arena, where it holds a spotless 7-0 record, on Tuesday, October 25 to entertain Saint Louis as it begins a three-match homestand.  First serve against the Billikens is slated for 6 p.m.