PITTSBURGH, Pa. (October 9, 2022)

In Short
Loyola University Chicago (13-7, 7-0 A-10) swept the series finale against Duquesne (3-16, 0-7 A-10) Sunday afternoon inside Cooper Fieldhouse, 25-21, 25-21. 25-16. Paced by Karlie McNabb's team-high 13 kills, the Ramblers extended their win streak to seven and remain unbeaten in Atlantic 10 play.
 
How It Happened
Both sides came out swinging in a tightly contested opening set, which featured seven ties and four lead changes, with only a couple points separating the two before Loyola pulled away late. The Ramblers hit an impressive .348 (21-46) in the first frame as Kelsey Watson recorded five kills, including four early points to help put the Ramblers ahead 11-8. Duquesne kept things close and worked a one-point lead at 16-15, but the Ramblers found their stride with a late 8-3 run, and pulled ahead by as much as five before posting the 25-21 set victory.

In the second set, Duquesne jumped out to the early lead and went up by as much as three when a Loyola attack error gave the Dukes a 9-6 advantage. But the Ramblers held steady and fought back, claiming their first lead on a kill from Karlie McNabb to put Loyola up, 10-9. McNabb would finish the set with a team-best five kills. The scoring went back and forth from there as the Dukes led 13-12, but the Ramblers eventually broke away, notching 10 of the next 13 points for a six-point lead before taking the set 25-21.

Loyola never trailed in the final set, thanks to a 9-3 run midway through the stanza for a comfortable 17-10 cushion. Bree Borum's kill sparked the scoring spree after Duquesne pulled within a point. The Ramblers led by as much as nine and hit for a .281 clip in the closing set. McNabb posted four kills, along with three kills each from Watson and Taylor Venuto.
 
Inside The Numbers
• Loyola registered its third sweep in five matches
• The Ramblers allowed their third-lowest hitting percentage to an opponent this season, outhitting the Dukes .223 to .080
• McNabb reached double figures (13) in the kills category for the fifth straight match. She also tied her career-high for blocks (3)
• Borum logged a double-double with 33 assists and 13 digs
• Libero Grace Hinchman recorded a match-high 16 digs
• Loyola's defense posted 10 blocks for the second straight outing against Duquesne

Up Next
Loyola will return to Gentile Arena next weekend for a two-match series against George Mason. Friday's contest is slated for a 6 p.m. CT start time.