WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Loyola Chicago women's volleyball team picked up its first win of the 2023 season in dominating fashion Saturday evening, sweeping Duke by a 3-0 final on Day 2 of Purdue Reamer Club Xtra Special Premier.
 
With the win, head coach Amanda Berkley picked up her 200^th career head coaching victory, and her 96^th while at the helm of the Ramblers.
 
Bree Borum fell two kills shy of a triple-double, finishing the night with 28 assists, 11 digs and eight kills while also chipping in on three blocks. Karlie McNabb had a match-high 16 kills and Grace Hinchman anchored the back line to the tune of 21 digs. Taylor Venuto had a perfect night on offense, recording five kills on no errors while getting in on four total blocks (two solo).
 
As a team, the Ramblers shut down the Blue Devil offense, limiting Duke to a meager .118 team hitting percentage.
 
A 5-1 run by Loyola in the opening set provided enough of a gap to take a 1-0 lead. Esma Ajanovic served up an ace to end the run, putting Loyola ahead by a 22-18 lead. The Blue Devils would climb back within one, but Loyola held off the late charge, as a McNabb kill sealed the 25-23 victory.
 
The Rambler lead would grow to 2-0 with a 25-22 victory in the second set. Trailing 14-12, Loyola used a key 7-1 run to jump in front by a 19-15 margin. Borum and McNabb each had a pair of kills while Addie Barnes served up one of Loyola's four aces in the match during the scoring spurt. Like the opening set, McNabb would once again connect from the outside to clinch the second set and put the Ramblers one set away from victory.
 
Loyola came out attacking to open the third and final set, taking the first three points and providing the Ramblers a lead they would not relinquish throughout the set. A 7-1 run extended Loyola's advantage to 16-9 and the team would cruise down the stretch to claim the 25-18 victory.
 
The Ramblers return to action for the final day of the opening weekend Sunday afternoon, taking on No. 16 Purdue. First serve is slated for 2 p.m. on BTN+.
 
News and Notes

• Borum has recorded a double-double in each of Loyola first two matches this season.
• The Ramblers limited Duke to a sub-.130 hitting percentage in all three sets, including a match-low .108 hitting percentage in the second set.
• Emily Banitt had a solid all-around night, contributing nine kills, seven digs and a pair of block assists.