WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Loyola Chicago's historic run came to an end against No. 9 Purdue in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Boilermakers used a sweep to advance to the Sweet 16.
 
Loyola ends its season at 22-12, which is its second 20-win season since joining the Atlantic 10 and fourth under head coach Amanda Berkley.
 
"This was a tough match for us," said Berkley. "I thought Purdue played really well, but there were definitely moments of good play from our end today. I'm glad the entire volleyball world got to see our program play, beat BYU, and make history. We believed we would be here tonight, and I am really proud of this group for this season, especially the last 14 matches."
 
Esma Ajanovic led the Ramblers with 12 kills, hitting .423. Olivia Lovett added seven kills and seven digs.
 
Bree Borum led Loyola with 25 assists. She also recorded five digs and four kills.
 
How It Happened
Set One: Lovett made an impact from the start for the Ramblers with two early kills and an ace. Loyola won the challenge for the ace, getting within one of Purdue, 5-4. Lovett and Ajanovic tallied back-to-back kills, while the Boilermakers followed up with a service error to keep the Ramblers within one, 12-11. Purdue responded on a 4-0 run to pull ahead. Marta Cvitkovic served up an ace to cut the lead down to five, but the Boilermakers scored three of the next four points to go up, 22-16. Lovett and Ann Marie Remmes had late kills, but Purdue won, 25-20.
 
Set Two: Loyola went on a 5-0 tear to start the second with Ajanovic heating up. She tallied two kills and a block assist for the lead. Purdue chipped its way back in, using a 8-0 run to regain a lead, 9-6. Remmes halted the progress with a kill and the Ramblers were back within one following a Purdue attack error. Loyola tied it four times, while a bad set gave them a 14-13 edge. Loyola got within three two times down the stretch on kills from Cvitkovic and Ajanovic, but Purdue pulled away, 25-21.
 
Set Three: Cvitkovic and Ajanovic gave Loyola a 3-2 lead to open the third with kills, but Purdue swung momentum in its favor with three unanswered capped by a block assist from Kenna Wollard and Raven Colvin. Cvitkovic cut the Purdue lead 7-5 with a kill for the Ramblers. The Boilermakers rallied with nine unanswered that pushed the lead to double-digits, 16-5. Eva Hudson had back-to-back kills keeping Purdue's lead at 11 down the stretch. Despite late kills from Ajanovic and Remmes, Purdue secured the win, 25-12.