CHICAGO – The No. 11 Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team dismantled Merrimack in straight sets (25-17, 25-19, 25-16) Saturday night inside Gentile Arena. The win marked the Ramblers' second straight sweep in as many days.

"I think we had steady service pressure, which got us out of the gates well," said Loyola head coach John Hawks. "Jake Read had five aces in the first set which got us going and we got some easy points that way. That put some doubt in their minds, and [Merrimack] started playing hard - credit Merrimack they dug a lot of balls tonight which forced us to keep playing and be resilient. So, credit to them for playing hard, but our guys played consistent volleyball tonight which was great."

How it Happened
Jake Read ripped five services aces in the opening set, including four as part of a 6-0 Loyola run, to help the 'Blers to an early 10-2 lead. Loyola kept its buffer at seven points after Read's fifth ace capped a quick two-point swing at 19-12. Cole Schobel's kill from Daniel Fabikovic gave the Maroon and Gold set point before a Merrimack error ended the frame.

Schobel posted two aces in a 4-0 Loyola sprint to give the Ramblers a 13-6 advantage in the second set. The Warriors came within two points of Loyola at 18-16, LUC, after a 3-0 run. But the 'Blers kept their distance from MC and didn't allow the visitors to take the lead. Fabikovic's kill from Ryan McElligott sparked a 3-0 run to give Loyola set point at 24-18 while a Merrimack error on the serve ended the second set.

With victory in sight, Loyola (3-5) raced out to a 9-1 lead before the Warriors (0-3) could blink. Before Merrimack could reach double digits, Read laid down a kill from Schobel to give the Maroon and Gold a 16-8 lead. Later, Miller Trubey helped Loyola to a 10-point lead after his kill from McElligott made the score 23-13. At set point, Trubey posted the match-winner from McElligott to seal LUC's triumph.

Notes

• The Ramblers totaled 40 kills and garnered 11 aces at helm.
• Loyola won the block battle, 10-5.
• Nicodemus Meyer hit .667 after logging six kills on nine swings. He added a season high six blocks.
• Schobel sniffed a double-double with nine digs and 26 assists. He added four aces.
• Read's six aces were a career best. He also racked up a match high 10 kills.

Up Next
Loyola Chicago is next in action Friday (Jan. 26) as the team plays host to LIU. First serve is set for 7 p.m. CT with the match streaming live on ESPN+ from Gentile Arena.