CHICAGO (March 7, 2023)
 
In Short…
The ninth-ranked Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team won its eighth straight match Tuesday night by sweeping Queens (N.C.), 25-20, 25-19, 26-24. Colton Brooks posted a match-high 16 kills, Parker Van Buren added nine and Jack Yentz had five to lead the Ramblers. Loyola improved to 15-2 overall on the season, while remaining undefeated with a 10-0 record at Gentile Arena this season.
 
How it Happened
Loyola got off to a fast start and never trailed in the opening set after back-to-back kills from Brooks and Van Buren put the Ramblers up 4-1. The lead swelled to six at 14-8 following another Van Buren kill, but Queens fought back to get within a point, forcing a Loyola timeout with the Ramblers leading 18-17. Holding on to a 20-19 lead, the Ramblers rattled off four straight points, sparked by a Van Buren kill and Brooks ace, and closed out the set with a block from Jimmy Meinhart.
 
In the second set, Queens led 2-0 after recording an ace to open the frame but Loyola responded quickly with six consecutive points to take control. Nicodemus Meyer ignited the offense with his first of three aces in the set. The Ramblers would cruise the rest of the way after going up 18-10 on a Brooks kill. The Ramblers hit a match-high .440 in the second set, with six different players registering a kill.
 
The final set featured a close, back-and-forth affair, as the Ramblers overcame a three-point deficit to close out the sweep. Queens went ahead 11-8 on back-to-back aces, remaining out in front until the Ramblers were able to level the score at 15-15 off a kill by Meyer.
 
The teams traded the next 11 points before the Royals grabbed a 22-20 lead on a block, which forced a Loyola timeout. Queens had a set-point opportunity after four consecutive service errors put the visitors ahead 24-23. But, Dan Mangun delivered with a big kill to even the match, and the Ramblers would post the final two points on a Brooks kill and an ace delivered by Yentz. Brooks finished with six kills in the final stanza.
 
Jack Brinkman led Queens (7-9) with eight kills (.333) and five digs.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Loyola hit .353 overall while limiting Queens to a .222 team hitting percentage
• The Ramblers tallied seven total team blocks, compared to five by Queens
• Brooks finished one kill off his career high, while hitting a stellar .519 (16-2-27) on the night
• Meyer recorded a career-high three aces, and has at least one ace in four straight matches
• Mangun dished out 31 assists with three kills and four digs
• Matt Oakley gathered a team-high seven digs, while fellow libero JJ Sowa and Meinhart each had four 

Up Next
Loyola will travel to Lebanon, Ill. later in the week in advance of Friday's match at McKendree. The Ramblers recently defeated the Bearcats in four sets on Saturday, Feb. 25, inside Gentile Arena.