CHICAGO (October 25, 2022)
 
In Short…
Three Ramblers turned in double-double efforts as Loyola University Chicago pushed its win streak to 12 games, picking up a 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 25-17 victory over Saint Louis (13-11, 5-7 A-10) this evening inside Gentile Arena.  Tonight's triumph sees the Ramblers remain atop the Atlantic 10 Conference standings, moving the Maroon & Gold to 18-7 overall and 12-0 in A-10 action.
 
How It Happened
Loyola started the night on fire, jumping out to an 11-4 lead in the first set following an Anna Feldkamp kill that forced a Saint Louis timeout.  After seeing the lead balloon to 18-8, the Billikens battled back, closing with four, 23-19, before kills from Feldkamp and Addie Barnes, respectively, wrapped up a 25-19 victory for the Maroon & Gold in the night's opening set.
 
The second set was a nip-and-tuck affair, featuring a staggering 12 ties and six lead changes.  Staring at a 15-12 deficit, Loyola mounted a rally, using a 5-1 surge that was capped off by three straight Barnes spikes, the last of which gave the Ramblers a 17-16 edge.  A Karlie McNabb kill that was followed by a Billiken attack error pushed Loyola out to a 22-20 lead, but Saint Louis responded, scoring the frame's final five points to take the set 25-22 and even the match at one set apiece.
 
Taylor Venuto looked to make an early impact in the swing set, registering back-to-back kills to put Loyola on top, 4-2.  As was the case in the set that preceded, the two Jesuit rivals traded blows, as the Ramblers opened a slim 16-14 advantage on an Emily Banitt kill.  Following a 3-0 Saint Louis spurt that put the visitors back on top, 17-16, Loyola proved to have the final answer, with a Venuto kill setting the table for a 6-0 run to send the Ramblers charging out in front, 22-17, en route to a 25-20 win.
 
Loyola left no doubt in what would prove to be the night's final set, taking a 9-4 lead courtesy of a Kelsey Watson kill.  The margin reached double digits, 19-9, on a McNabb flush that was part of a 4-0 run which extinguished any hopes of a Billiken rally, as Loyola ensured that its undefeated home record would stay intact with a 25-17 victory.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Barnes and McNabb led the way for the Rambler attack on the evening.  Barnes put up a season-high 17 kills in addition to 10 digs, while McNabb reached double figures in kills for the 11^th time in 2022, matching Barnes with 17 kills to go along with 13 digs.
- Bree Borum added a double-double of her own, posting 38 assists and 16 digs.
- Banitt chipped in 10 kills of her own, rounding out a trio of Ramblers in double figures in the category.
- Watson led Loyola's defensive efforts, putting up a career-high nine blocks as the Billikens hit just .072 (39-28-152).
- Grace Hinchman continued her steady work, closing the night with a team-best 19 digs.
- Mak Hill and Jillian Mattingly led Saint Louis with 10 kills apiece.
 
Up Next
Loyola is back on the Gentile Arena court this weekend to entertain VCU, October 28-29.