WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Loyola Chicago women's volleyball team erased a 12-7 deficit in the fifth set to upset 16^th-ranked Purdue in a five-set thriller Sunday afternoon.
 
The victory marks Loyola's first win over a ranked opponent since taking down #9 Illinois on Sept. 14, 2004.
 
Emily Banitt matched a career-high with a team-leading 19 kills. Banitt tallied a double-double in the match, picking up 12 kills in the effort while Karlie McNabb also recorded a double-double with 17 kills and 13 digs. Bree Borum dished out 49 assists and Grace Hinchman tied a match-high with 20 digs. Addie Barnes contributed all over the court with eight kills, 10 digs, and a match-high five service aces.
 
The Boilermakers jumped on the Ramblers early, taking a 10-3 lead in the opening set. Loyola would slowly climb back into striking distance, as a Purdue hitting error brought the Ramblers within one at 18-17. The visitors couldn't maintain the momentum as Purdue pulled away late for the 25-20 decision.
 
Loyola stormed out to a 6-2 lead to open the second set and never looked back, cruising to a 25-19 victory to even the match up at 1-all. The Ramblers' defense was on full display, limiting Purdue to eight kills and a .061 hitting percentage. The Boilermakers were kept out of system throughout much of the set, with four Loyola services aces keeping the Purdue attack at bay.
 
Coming out of the break, Loyola's put forth an efficient offensive performance to edge Purdue, 25-23, in the third set and take a 2-1 lead in the match. Loyola tallied 15 kills in the set while committing three errors to post a team hitting percentage of .375. Tied at 23-all, kills by Banitt and McNabb sealed the set in favor of the Ramblers.
 
Loyola looked to close out the match in the fourth, with another Banitt kill putting the Ramblers on top, 19-18. Purdue closed the set by taking seven of the final 10 points to pick up the 25-22 victory and force a decisive fifth set.
 
In the deciding set, Purdue looked poised to close things out after building a 12-7 lead. Three unanswered Loyola points, capped by a solo block from Taylor Venuto, forced a Purdue timeout at 12-10. Purdue pushed the lead to 13-10 before four more consecutive points by Loyola gave the visitors match point at 14-13. Purdue tied things up before Banitt played the role of hero with back-to-back kills to complete the upset.
 
Loyola remains on the road next weekend, facing Bowling Green, Wright State and Texas A&M at the Bowling Green Hampton Invitational Aug. 31 – Sept. 2.
 
News and Notes

• The win was Loyola's first over a ranked opponent since taking down No. 9 Illinois on Sept. 14, 2004.
• Banitt tied a career-high with 19 kills. The right-side hitter finished the match with just three errors on 30 total attempts (.533 hitting percentage).
• Loyola had an 11-10 advantage in aces. Barnes led the way with five while Esma Ajanovic added three.
• Venuto was in on six total blocks (1 solo, 5 assist), as Loyola held a slim 8-7 advantage in blocks.