KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (August 27, 2022) 
 
In Short 
No. 13 Purdue (2-0) hit .294 (38-13-85) and was able to hold off a scrappy Loyola University Chicago (1-2) squad, 25-14, 25-23, 25-19 this afternoon in the Ramblers' final contest at the Tennessee Classic. Loyola was seeking its first win over a nationally ranked opponent since 2004.
 
How It Happened
Addie Barnes' second kill of the match brought Loyola within two points (7-5), but from there, Purdue put the first set out of reach, running off seven consecutive scores as its lead ballooned to 14-5. The Boilermakers would go on to lead by as many as 12 points in an eventual 25-14 victory, hitting .481 (14-1-27) in the process. Addie Barnes tallied four kills for Loyola in the opening set, while Bree Borum added three kills.
 
After a slow start, Barnes got Loyola back into the second set, accounting for four straight points herself, courtesy of a kill and three consecutive service aces. An Esma Ajanovic/Kelsey Watson block punctuated a string of five unanswered Loyola points that tied the proceedings at 8-8 and later, the Ramblers would register four straight scores to grab an 18-15 lead, tied for its largest of the set. Loyola appeared in control when it owned a 20-17 edge, but Purdue fought back, using a 6-0 run to erase the deficit and claim a 23-20 advantage. The Ramblers battled right back, ripping off three straight tallies to even the set, but their upset bid fell short though when Hannah Clayton smacked a kill and Madeline Koch followed with a block to give the Boilers a 25-23 win.
 
Set three was nip and tuck until the latter stages when a Karlie McNabb kill was followed by a solo block from Emily Banitt that placed the Ramblers ahead, 18-16. Loyola's momentum stalled there however, and Purdue closed the set by recording nine of the final ten points to pick up a 25-19 victory.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Barnes led Loyola with eight kills and three aces, while also providing five digs.
• In her first action of the season, Ajanovic gave the Ramblers a boost off the bench, tallying six kills and a block, while hitting at a .455 (6-1-11) clip.
• Loyola hit just .073 (32-35-96) for the contest.
• Eva Hudson drilled a match-high 12 kills for Purdue, which got nine kills from Koch.
• Barnes was named to the Tennessee Classic All-Tournament Team.

 
Up Next
Loyola participates in the Michigan Invitational in Ann Arbor, Mich., September 2 and 3. The Ramblers open play at the four-team event by taking on Morehead State at 9 a.m. CT on September 2.